LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 




4 '7^0 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



DON BpSCO: 

A SKETCH ,OF..»>. 

His Life anA Mi-rSes. 



BY y 

Dr. Charles D'Espiney. 

TRANSLATED FFOM THE FRENCH BY 

MISS MARY McMAHON. 



^' 



.,'3 -2- 



"/'raw^ he to Our Lady Help ofX^h^^nf^ m^^f^^^ 

iw^'i 30 .. . 

New York, Cincinnati, and St. Louis : 
BENZIOER BROTHERS, 

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. 
1884. 



ThB I4BRART 

OF C^mosaum 

WASBUlMOil 



»^^?l^ 



In attempting to relate some of the graces 
and favors obtained through the interces- 
sion of Our Lady Help of Christians, the 
author wishes to conform always and in all 
things to the decisions of Our Holy Mother 
the Church, and particularly to the decrees 
of His Holiness Pope Urban VIH. 



Copyright, 1883, by Benziger Brothers. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Don Bosco 9 

The Cooperators of St. Francis de Sales 82 

The Devotion to Our Lady Help of Christians. . 89 

A Cure 99 

A Medal of Our Lady Help of Christians 100 

The Incredulous Physician 104 

The Gold Bracelet 106 

Miraculous Cure of a Sick Man 108 

Cure of a General 113 

A Cripple 117 

Cure of a Sick Woman, and the Conversion of a 

City 121 

A Vocation and Cure 125 

How Count C. entered Holy Orders at the Age 

of Sixty-three 127 

Providence is a Good Banker 131 

An Opportune Clap of Thunder 138 



8 CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



A Charitable Spirit 139 

A Bargain, 140 

How Our Lord punished the Ingratitude shown 
to Don Bosco, and those who tried to thwart 

him 141 

What came of an Attempt to put Don Bosco in 

an Insane Asylum 145 

The Colonel 149 

How Don Bosco managed to take the Young 
Culprits in the Prison of Turin out for a 

Holiday c 151 

The Seminarian Francis 154 

A Sick Friend 155 

A Confession 157 

A Dream 158 

Piety of Don Bosco's Children 161 

The Attempts to Kill Don Bosco 164 

Don Bosco's Dog 170 

The Confession of a Thief 178 

Don Bosco, a Poem 180 



DON BOSCO. 




TENDER love for his neighbor 
is one of the greatest and most 
excellent gifts that Divine Provi- 
dence can bestow upon man.'* 

The spirit of these charming words of 
St. Francis de Sales, inscribed at the head 
of the Salesian Bulletin, is truly character- 
istic of this work and the man of this work. 

No one can see Don Bosco without feel- 
ing attracted to him, or without loving him 
at once, for his heart is all love, and the di- 
vine light of a tender love beams in his 
countenance. 

Like St. John, the beloved disciple, lean- 
ing on the heart of the Master, inebriated 
with ineffable delight and exclaiming: 
" Lord, I love Thee," so Don Bosco, taking 
to his heart this multitude of children to 



lO DON BO SCO. 

whom he became a father, sends forth a 
sigh of love which assuredly ascends to the 
feet of Him who said, '^ This is My com- 
mandment, that you love one another as I 
have loved you." 

The Abbe Don Bosco founded the So- 
ciety of St. Francis de Sales, the object of 
which is to devote itself to the different 
works of piety and charity, and in particu- 
lar to the special care of poor abandoiied children 
upon whom depends the future happiness 
or misery of society. 

Poor abandoned children ! Could there 
be a more admirable work than that of 
taki?ig special care of children whom neg- 
lect, ignorance, and contact with depraved, 
perverted natures defencelessly expose to 
the snares of evil ? 

Don Bosco gathers them together, gives 
them an asylum, teaches them an honora- 
ble trade, makes them useful citizens ; but 
above all, he ennobles them, as it were, by 
initiating them in the splendors of revealed 
truth. He teaches therti how to appreciate 
the immortal beauty of that soul made in 
the image of God, which they outrage 
through ignorance. Many of these chil- 



DON BO SCO. II 

dren of the people have been raised to the 
highest dignity with which man can be in- 
vested: they have become priests! 

We shall see how Don Bosco received 
the first inspiration of the mission which 
Divine Providence was to confide to him. 

Elevated to the priesthood in 1841 at the 
age of twenty-six, instead of accepting the 
places offered to him he resolved to remain 
for a time at Turin under the immediate 
guidance of his compatriot and spiritual 
director, the Abbe Cafasso, then President 
of the Conference of Morals and Director 
of the Ecclesiastical Institute of St. Francis 
of Assisi. 

Don Bosco had unbounded confidence 
and veneration for this worthy priest. He 
submitted to him all his actions and delib- 
erations, and entered this Institute, the ob- 
ject of which was to perfect young priests 
in the knowledge of practical morals, and 
in the exercise of preaching. 

The influence of this house was most 
favorable to the expansion of the soul; the 
inmates studied, but above all they prayed: 
yet this did not exclude an active partici- 
pation in exterior works of charity, such as 



12 DON BO SCO. 

visiting the poor, the sick, the hospitals and 
prisons. 

Don Bosco was introduced by his master 
into the prisons of Turin. The young 
priest was deeply moved at finding in the 
prisons great numbers of young boys, and 
even cliildren. 

He was filled with horror and pity at 
their precocious depravity, the cause of 
which was too evident, as from their birth 
these poor children were completely aban- 
doned, and had always before their eyes a 
deplorable example of vice. They broke 
the law, and society, considering them in- 
jurious to the community, must needs im- 
prison them. But far from bettering their 
condition, their sojourn in prison only ren- 
dered them still more corrupt. 

From that time he labored unceasingly, 
impelled by an invisible impulse to devote 
himself to the poor abandoned children 
who crowded the streets of Turin. He re- 
solved to snatch them from the evil influ- 
ences to which they were a prey, and to 
teach them to know, love, and serve the 
God who died for them and of whom they 
had never heard. While contemplating 



DON BOSCO. 13 

this great object which he had so much at 
heart, an unforeseen circumstance, or rather 
the hand of God Himself, brought him his 
first neophyte, Barthelemy Garelli d'Asti, 
an orphan sixteen years old, who, like so 
many others, lived abandoned in the streets 
of Turin. 

He entered by chance the sacristy of the 

church where Don Bosco was vesting for 

Mass, and the sacristan, who was at that 

moment looking for some one to serve the 

^Mass, readily seized the boy. 

Garelli was at a loss how to render such 
a service, and as he refused to comply-with 
the somewhat blunt request, the sacristan 
gave him a sound box on the ear, which 
made him cry out. 

Don Bosco was attracted by the noise 
and disturbance, and when informed of the 
cause he comforted and petted the boy and 
coaxed him to remain and hear Mass, after 
which he talked with him, asking him many 
questions. 

He was horrified at the boy's perfect igno- 
rance of the first rudiments of religion, and 
that same evening began his religious edu- 
cation by teaching him the sign of the Cross. 



14 DON BOSCO. 

Thus was the CEuvi^e Salesienne beofun on 
the beautiful feast of the Immaculate Con- 
ception of the Blessed Virgin, the 8th of 
December, 1841. 

O Queen of Heaven! what graces have 
you not obtained since then for Don Bosco 
and his children! 

Having noticed the effect of harsh treat- 
ment on the first child sent him by Provi- 
dence, Don Bosco was from that moment 
fully convinced that children should always 
be treated with extreme gentleness. This 
^quisite gentleness, amounting even to 
tenderness, has become the motto and spirit 
of the Salesian Society. 

The instruction in catechism given to 
Garelli soon attracted several of his com- 
rades, and though mostly masons* appren- 
tices, bound when very young to masters 
who took no care of them, it is worthy of 
notice that from this time none of the chil- 
dren fell victims to those accidents so fre- 
quent in their rude and perilous trade. At 
the beginning of the year 1842 Don Bosco 
found himself in charge of a hundred chil- 
dren and youths, to whom he taught the 
principles of religion. He collected them 



DON BO SCO, 15 

together as often as possible, and took them 
to Mass and Vespers. He even succeeded, 
but with some difficulty, in forming a small 
choir, whose singing added much to the at- 
traction of the reunions. When he could, 
he never failed to procure for them some 
material gratification. He also visited them 
in their workshops, and when he found any 
of them out of employment he scoured the 
country till he found them good masters. 

The Institute of St. Francis of Assisi, with 
its modest chapel and adjoining sacristy, 
was the first asylum offered to these chil- 
dren. From the beginning Don Bosco gave 
to the reunions the name of the Oratory, 
thus markedly showing that prayer was the 
sole power upon which he relied; he also 
from the commencement placed himself 
and all his children under the immediate 
protection of the Blessed Virgin. 

In 1844, when Don Bosco, having finished 
his studies at the Institute of St. Francis of 
Assisi, was now about to assume the more 
decided duties of the priesthood, several 
positions were offered to him, but as usual, 
wishing to give up his own will, he confided 
this important decision to his director, the 



l6 DON BOSCO. 

Abbe Cafasso, whom he considered as the 
interpreter of the Divine Will in his regard. 

His inclinations led him to devote him- 
self more and more to the children whom 
he loved with a tender love, but, with a de- 
tachment worthy of admiration, he was will- 
ing to go wherever Almighty God sent him. 
After much prayer and reflection, the Abbe 
Cafasso appointed him director of the little 
hospital of St. Philomena. He assisted also 
in the direction of a Refuge for young girls, 
established ^n the neighborhood by the 
Marquise Barolo. 

This new position seemed at first entirely 
incompatible with the development of the 
little Oratory, but it was really most favor- 
able to it. 

In the Abbe Borel, a priest of French 
origin, then director of the Refuge, Don 
Bosco found a friend such as Almighty God 
gives only to His elect, and one who proved 
an incomparable aid in the work for the 
children. As soon as these two priests met, 
it seemed as if they had always known each 
other; their love was mutual, and they 
went resolutely to work like old friends. 

The little room allotted to Don Bosco at 



DON BO SCO, 17 

the Refuge was the meeting-place for the 
children, who soon numbered more than 
two hundred. As the place was absolutely 
incapable of accommodating all, they filled 
the stairs and halls, and the state to which 
Don Bosco's poor little cell was reduced 
may be imagined. But a more serious griev- 
ance was that, even with the assistance of 
the Abbe Borel, he could not manage to 
hear all their confessions on the eve of cer- 
tain feasts. 

In this dilemma he applied to the Arch- 
bishop Franzoni, who approved and blessed 
the work. At this high recommendation 
the Marquise Barolo hastened to place at 
their disposition two rooms in the hospital, 
which they converted as best they could 
into a chapel. Here, on the 8th of De- 
cember, 1844, the feast of the Immaculate 
Conception, Don Bosco said Mass for the 
first time, surrounded by his children. The 
work advanced under the manifest action 
of Divine Providence. At this time Don 
Bosco gave his Oratory the title of St. 
Francis de Sales. 

He was guided in this choice by several 
circumstances. The material one was that 



1 8 DON BO SCO. 

the Marquise Barolo, having intended to 
found a congregation of priests under this 
title, had destined the very rooms which 
she gave to the Oratory for this purpose, 
and with this idea she had a picture of St. 
Francis de Sales painted at the entrance. 
In the second place, Don Bosco had long 
since recognized the unalterable sweetness 
and exquisite gentleness of St. Francis de 
Sales as the surest means of reaching the 
hearts of children. Moreover, several here- 
sies had noiselessly glided into the city of 
Turin and threatened to disturb the faith 
of the people. 

The work then became The Oratory of 
St, Francis de Sales^ and this is why the 
family of Don Bosco bears the name Sale- 
si an. 

But in order to rest on solid basis, all 
foundations must pass through trials and 
even persecution; for the road of the Cross 
is the only one that leads to life and truth. 

These trials and persecutions were all 
the more sad and painful that they were 
sometimes instigated by wealthy people, 
and even by good Christians. Alas! the 
surest friendships are not always to be 



DON BOSCO. 19 

trusted: it is the old story, constantly re- 
peated, of St. Peter deriying his Master. 
We will show how this opposition mani- 
fested itself, and how Don Bosco bore him- 
self through these difficulties. 

The Oratory of St.' Francis de Sales be- 
gan to be definitely established. Catechism, 
singing of the canticles, instructions, inter- 
spersed with striking examples, interesting 
stories, and various games, filled the time 
of the reunions. Besides this, Don Bosco 
established night schools, which were soon 
attended by numerous adults, who after 
their day's work received elementary in- 
struction very valuable to them. 

But just at this time the Marquise Barolo 
reclaimed the place she had lent them, 
which she wished to use for another object. 
Don Bosco, through the Archbishop, ob- 
tained from the municipality the use of the 
Church of St. Martin. 

This place was not very suitable for their 
purpose. Mass could not be celebrated in 
the church, which had long been abandoned, 
and there was no place for recreation ex- 
cept a small park in front of the church. 

Nevertheless the Oratory was transferred 



20 DON BOSCO. 

to the place assigned it, and we give here 
the memorable words of the Rev. Abbe 
Berol on this occasion: "My children, cab- 
bages will not grow into fine large heads 
unless they are transplanted; it is then for 
our good that we are transplanted here.'* 
This good was not very apparent, but the 
ill-fortune was cheerfully accepted. 

Three hundred children at play are 
noisy: it could hardly be otherwise. The 
people who lived in the houses facing the 
park which had become the playground, 
were soon annoyed by this unusual racket, 
they entered a complaint, and the munici- 
pal authorities notified Don Bosco that he 
would have to go elsewhere. 

The municipality, however, far from 
being hostile to this work, even showed 
interest in the establishing of the night 
classes, and readily accorded Don Bosco 
the use of the church of St. Pterre-es-Liens. 
Adjoining this church, so appropriate to 
the religious ceremonies, was a vast court 
just suitable as playground for the chil- 
dren, and a large vestibule served as a 
study-room, so that this change seemed for 
the best. 



DON BO SCO, 21 

Alas! the next morning the rector who 
occupied the parsonage, annoyed by the 
noise of the children, and fearing the quiet 
he enjoyed in this retreat might be dis- 
turbed, made such a bitter complaint that 
the permission granted was immediately 
withdrawn. 

Meeting in Don Bosco's cell was utterly 
impossible, and for two months the Oratory 
had to hold all its exercises in the open air. 

On Sundays and feast days from early 
morning the children in great numbers 
gathered around Don Bosco, the new 
Moses, who conducted his little people to 
some church in the outskirts of the town, 
where he said Mass for them. Each one 
brought some provisions — not a repast of 
three courses, it is true, nor did they have 
three meals a day, but their appetites were 
incomparable. After a summary break- 
fast they had Catechism in the open air, 
and then instruction. They finished the 
day by a promenade, and returned in the 
evening to the city singing canticles, 
awaiting the promised land under the form 
of some sort of shelter. 

This existence, full of sentiment from a 



22 DON BOSCO. 

certain point of view, became impossible as 
the cold season approached. At the begin- 
ing of winter Don Bosco had to rent three 
rooms in the Moretta House, situated 
almost in front of the place where now 
stands the sanctuary of Our Lady Help of 
Christians. 

But the time of rest had not yet come, 
and impediments to the work constantly 
occurred one after another. 

First, the Marquis de Cavour, then chief 
of the municipal police of Turin, pretended 
to see in these inoffensive reunions a politi- 
cal object, dangerous to the state. He 
wished to have them suppressed, and all 
the energy of Don Bosco was needed to 
escape this serious difficulty. 

Even the clergy of Turin joined Cavour*s 
party. Some of them saw with jealousy a 
work established in which they had no 
share, and the cures claimed that their 
churches would be deserted. 

The reply to this was very simple: since 
nearly all these children were strangers in 
the city, the greater part of them having 
neither hearth nor home, they consequently 
belonged to none of the parishes. Was it 



DON BO SCO. 23 

then a crime to withdraw them from the 
dangers of the street, and thus make valu- 
able recruits for the Church ? 

This misunderstanding was no sooner 
settled than the lodgers in the Moretta 
House, where they held their meetings, 
complained so much of the noise made by 
the children, and of the inconvenience they 
caused, that the landlord rudely dismissed 
them, and they were once more in the 
street. This was in the spring of 1846, 
and the weather was beautiful. " Almighty 
God," thought Don Bosco, "treats my poor 
little children as well as He does the lit- 
tle birds." Not being able to find a house, 
he rented a meadow. 

The Installation was so primitive at this 
time, that it forcibly recalled Our Lord 
wandering through the small towns of 
Judea, followed by His disciples, and with 
only the starry vault of heaven for shelter. 

On Sunday the children came early, and 
began the day by going to confession to 
their Father; and certainly the mode of 
confession used in the Salesian family re- 
minded one by its touching simplicity of 
the relation between father and son. 



24 DON BOSCO. 

The priest's seat was a grassy mound ; be- 
side him knelt the little penitent, the arm of 
the priest lovingly encircling the child, while 
its head rested upon his heart. How sweet 
and easy the avowal of faults thus became! 

Having no bell, the young battalion w^as 
assembled by a drum and trumpet found 
nobody knew where, and which would 
have delighted a lover of antiques. All 
the rest of the installation was to come. 
But what good he accomplished in this 
humble asylum! what charming, touching 
instructions penetrated the hearts of the 
children! What earnest and fervent 
prayers ascended to heaven! 

The children were first taken to a neigh- 
boring church to hear Mass; then they 
breakfasted as best they could, and re- 
turned and spent the day in this pleasant 
meadow of Valdoco, where lively games 
judiciously alternated with instructions 
and spiritual exercises. 

Alas! Don Bosco was soon unfortunately 
deprived of this meadow. The owner 
claimed that the tramping of the children 
destroyed the roots of the grass, and he 
notified them that they must leave. 



DON BOSCO. 25 

The better to prove the instability of all 
human support, Don Bosco just at this 
time lost his position of Director to the 
Institute of the Marquise Barolo, and the 
emoluments thereof which were almost his 
only resource. 

When this occurred, his friends and even 
Rev. Abbe Borel urged him to give up his 
care of the children. ^' Keep only twenty of 
the smaller ones and send the others away: 
you cannot accomplish impossibilities,*' 
they said; "and Divine Providence Himself 
seems clearly to indicate to you that the 
work is no longer to continue." "Divine 
Providence!" replied Don Bosco, raising 
his hands to heaven, while his eyes shone 
with surprising brilliancy, " sent me these 
children, and believe me, I will never send 
one away. I am firmly convinced that He 
will provide all that is necessary to them, 
and since I cannot rent a home, I will build 
one with the aid of Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians. We will have large buildings, capa- 
ble of receiving as many children as will 
come; we will have all kinds of workshops, 
that they may learn whatever trade they 
wish; large courts and gardens for them to 



26 DON BOSCO. 

play in; finally, we will have a chapel and 
numerous priests to instruct the children, 
and to take special care of those among 
them who show signs of a religious voca- 
tion/^ 

At this time it was supposed that Don 
Bosco had partially lost his reason; he was 
looked upon and pitied as one demented. 
This idea was confirmed by the minute 
description which he gave of his future 
Oratory, the plan of which evidently ex- 
isted in his mind. He gave the description 
and dimensions of the chapel, the work- 
shops, the dormitories, the class-rooms, 
the courts and gardens; and all conceived 
in proportions so vast and so little in keep- 
ing with his resources, that his mental de- 
rangement seemed no longer doubtful. 

His friends gradually fell off; even those 
who seemed the most devotedly attached to 
him left him. 

This belief in his mental aberration be- 
came so confirmed that they wished to con- 
fine him in an insane asylum. 

We shall see later how the effort to carry 
out this idea resulted in the confusion of 
those who attempted it. 



DON BOSCO. 27 

The day arrived when the children were 
to assemble for the last time in the meadow. 
The next morning it was to be given up to 
the owner, and Don Bosco knew not where 
he could assemble his dear little ones on 
the following Sunday. 

It was like the Station at the Garden of 
Olives. Their countenances expressed deep 
dejection, and their cheeks bore traces of 
bitter tears. 

The children saw him prostrate on the 
earth, and heard him cry out, ^^My God, 
may Thy holy will be done ! Wilt Thou 
abandon these orphans ? Inspire me how 
to find an asylum for them !" 

Scarcely had he finished this prayer when 
a man named Pancrazio Soave approached 
him and asked, ** Monsieur TAbbe, are you 
looking for a laboratory ?" 

^' Not a laboratory, but an oratory." 

" No matter; I have what you want. My 
godfather, Pinardi, who is a very honest 
fellow, has a splendid shed to rent, exactly 
what you want." 

What a providential opening ! Don Bos- 
co hastened with Pancrazio to the place in- 
dicated. 



28 DON BO SCO, 

The shed was a structure of rare sim- 
plicity; no missionary among the savages 
could possibly have a ruder or more com- 
fortless abode. The roof was so low that 
in certain parts one could not stand up 
without stooping, and the adjoining build- 
ings were scarcely any better. 

*^ It is certainly very low/' said Don 
Bosco. *^ My children are not very tall, 
but they would find it difficult to lodge 
here." 

''Is that all?" replied Pinardi. "I can 
have the soil dug down as deep as you 
wish; I will make a board floor, and you 
will have a little palace. Know, too, that 
I am a singer, and I will assist you by 
chanting at the services. I also have a 
beautiful lamp which I will lend you for 
your chapel." 

Touched by such good-will, Don Bosco 
asked, " Could you lower the floor a foot 
and a half ?" 

''I will see that it is done." 

"By next Sunday?" 

*'By next Sunday." 

*' You will allow me the use of the sur- 
rounding grounds ?" 



DON BOSCO. 29 

"You can have the use of them." 

^^How much?" 

^' Three hundred francs a year." 

" I will give you three hundred- and 
twenty francs, but I must have a lease." 

^' I will give you a lease." 

" Then I will take it." 

The affair concluded, Don Bosco returned 
to his meadow, and the setting sun lit up a 
very touching scene. 

The poor children learned with great de- 
light that Divine Providence had provided 
for them an asylum, and heartily cheered 
this shed of Valdoco which they were never 
to leave; for on this very spot was after- 
ward built the Oratory of St. Francis de 
Sales as it now stands. They immediately 
repeated the Rosary in thanksgiving, and 
there could be no doubt of the fervor with 
whigh it was said. 

Pinardi, assisted by Pancrazio and sev- 
eral workmen, accomplished wonders. In 
a week, as he had promised, the shed was 
made much more presentable, and on 
the following Sunday, the 12th of April, 
1846 (it was Easter Sunday), they not only 
took possession of their new place, but were 



30 DON BOSCO. 

able to celebrate Mass and Vespers there. 
The shed, the floor of which had been 
lowered and covered with boards, made, 
with the addition of a coach-house, 
quite a good chapel, and all the adjoining 
ground served as playground for the chil- 
dren. The Bishop at once gave permission 
to say Mass and have all the religious 
exercises, Benediction, sermons, and nov- 
enas in the chapel. Soon there were seven 
hundred children in the Oratory of St. 
Francis de Sales du Valdoco, and the work 
took a decidedly encouraging start. 

This success brought back to Don Bosco 
several friends who had recently deserted 
him, and attracted to him new assistants 
and valuable adherents. 

The days were well filled at the Oratory. 
On Sundays and feast-days the chapel was 
open not only to the children, but to all 
in the neighborhood, who eagerly flocked 
to the modest chapel, which proved a 
blessing to this locality, inhabited by a 
very depraved class. An unhoped-for 
transformation may be said to have dated 
from this time. 

Confessions were heard till eight or nine 



DON BO SCO. 31 

o'clock in the morning; then Mass was said, 
Don Bosco always preaching a very inter- 
esting sermon on the Gospel of the da}^, 
adding examples taken from Sacred Scrip- 
ture. 

Then came recreation, followed by a class 
till noon. At two o'clock, Catechism, the 
Rosary, Vespers of the Blessed Virgin, 
another instruction, and singing of the 
Canticles. 

All this was made so attractive, that when 
evening came the children were very loath 
to go away, and it was necessary to turn 
them out. They went off, calling '' Good- 
by, Father; good-by till Sunday." 

The good Don Bosco was generally so 
exhausted by his labors that he could 
scarcely drag himself home: but his 
strength seemed to be renewed by labor; 
so he hastened to definitely establish the 
night-school, which he kept open every 
night in the week. 

The young men attended in large num- 
bers; the great difficulty was to find teach- 
ers to help him with the classes. 

This great need inspired Don Bosco with 
the ingenious idea of creating scholarships. 



32 DON BOSCO. 

He selected the most talented young men, 
and offered to give them a complete course 
of instruction on condition that they would 
in their turn teach others. 

Teaching is one of the best means of 
learning, and this institution of scholar- 
ships succeeded beyond all expectation. 

He not only thus secured excellent and 
zealous teachers for his classes, but they 
became themselves a nursery of young 
priests, vocations developing among them 
at the same time with their instruction. 

Don Bosco deserves much praise for the 
establishment of these night-schools; Turin 
and several other cities recognizing their 
excellence, hastened to establish similar in- 
stitutions. 

Nevertheless, the Marquis de Cavour, 
chief of the municipal police of Turin, again 
raised a formidable opposition, and he 
would doubtless have succeeded this time 
in having the Oratory closed if an unex- 
pected protector had not arisen. The 
Count de Collegno, former Minister of 
State and Counsellor of Charles-Albert, 
declared that the king did not wish Don 
Bosco to be disturbed. The priest and the 



DON BOSCO. 33 

soldier, both men of action and devotion, 
always perfectly understood each other, 
and on more than one occasion the king 
testified his interest by gifts. Once* espe- 
cially, on the ist of January, he sent three 
hundred francs with this superscription, 
"For Don Bosco's Little Rogues.'' 

Some idea may be formed of the over- 
whelming labor accomplished by Don Bos- 
co, when we consider that besides the great 
amount of time given to his Oratory he 
still managed to exercise his ministry in 
the prisons, the Cottolengo Hospital, at the 
Refuge, and also to visit the sick in the 
city. Moreover, he wrote for his children 
several works, the principal of which are 
"Sacred History for the Use of the 
Schools;" "Youth Instructed," a valuable 
work, which has gone through more than 
eighty editions; "The Metric System of 
Decimals;" "The Seven Dolors of the 
Blessed Virgin;" "Devotion to the Angel 
Guardian;" "Exercises on the Mercy of 
God;" "History of Italy;" "Abridged Ec- 
clesiastical History;" etc. As no constitu- 
tion could endure such labors, complete 
exhaustion soon reduced him to a very 



34 I^ON BOSCO. 

alarming state, and he was obliged by the 
imperative commands of the physician to 
retire for some time into the country. Here 
he should have taken a perfect rest, but the 
frequent visits of his children, together with 
the pupils and Brothers, left him no repose. 
Moreover, he returned to the city Satur- 
day evening to hear confessions, and to as- 
sist at the reunions at the Oratory on Sun- 
day. 

In July, 1846, when making one of these 
journeys from the country, he took a cold 
which resulted in a severe inflammation of 
the lungs, which his poor exhausted body 
was little able to sustain. 

The danger increased so much that the 
physicians lost all hope. 

One night, which threatened to be his last, 
the Abbe Borel said to him, *'Don Bosco, 
ask Almighty God to cure you." 

"No," he replied, "I must abandon my- 
self to the will of God." 

" But you cannot leave your children; I 
beg of you, in their name, to ask God to 
cure you." 

Then the poor sufferer, to gratify his 
friend, murmured, " O Lord, if it is Thy 



DON BO SCO. 35 

good pleasure, grant that I be cured! No?t 
recuso labor em ^ 

** Victory!" the good Abbe exclaimed, 
"now I am sure you will recover.'* 

And the next morning Don Bosco was in 
fact convalescent. 

The children's great love for their de- 
voted benefactor showed itself in the heroic 
vows and promises which they offered for 
his recovery, many of them so severe that 
Don Bosco had to interpose his authority 
to lighten some of the self-imposed pen- 
ances, and forbid the accomplishment of 
others. 

This illness so reduced the poor priest, 
already so much exhausted, that he was 
forced to take three months to recuperate. 

This time was spent in his native place, 
Murialdo de Castelnuovo, not far from 
Turin, where his family owned a small prop- 
erty called Les Becchi. 

When his strength began to return, noth- 
ing could keep him from his children, and 
October found him once more in his be- 
loved Valdoco. 

Having no longer the use of the little 
apartment formerly allowed him by the 



36 DON BOSCO. 

Marquise Barolo, he determined, in order to 
save time, to take up his abode at the Ora- 
tory, and for this object rented from Pinardi 
some small rooms quite near the chapel. 
Then needing some one to take charge of 
his household affairs, he took his mother to 
live with him. 

Don Bosco preceded his mother in this 
work, but later she seemed in a measure to 
take precedence of her son, especially when 
he was ordained priest, Margaret Bosco 
venerated her son as much as she loved 
him, and instinctively understood the great- 
ness of the work to which he devoted him- 
self. She was a large-hearted, courageous 
woman, and relinquished without a mo- 
ment's hesitation the home of her happy 
married life and the peaceful seclusion of 
Becchi, to share the labors of her son and 
devote herself to his adopted family. 

On the 3d of November, 1846, the mother 
? and son left Les Becchi on foot, with walk- 
ing-sticks in their hands, one carrying a 
breviary under his arm, the other bearing a 
large basket of provisions. They had in 
their pockets all the money they possessed, 
and it did not weigh heavily. A short 



DON BOSCO. 37 

time before reaching their destination, 
while passing through Rondo, they met the 
Abbe Vola, who more than once had lent a 
helping hand to Don Bosco in the night- 
schools and in teaching the Catechism to 
the children. 

"How tired you seem, my good friend! 
Where are you going ?" 

^' My mother and I are going to estab- 
lish ourselves at. the Oratory." 

" But you have neither position nor re- 
sources that I know of; how are you going 
to manage ?'* 

"I know not, but Providence will pro- 
vide." 

Touched by so much faith and courage, 
the good Abbe handed his watch to Don 
Bosco, saying, " I have only my watch, but 
I wish you would take it as a foundation 
stone." 

The next morning the watch was sold, 
for there was great need of even the sim- 
plest articles of furniture in this new house- 
hold. 

But there were other urgent expendi- 
tures. There was the rent, and numbers 
of children who had necessarily to be as- 



38 DON BOSCO, 

sisted. Some were out of employment, and 
would have starved but for the good bowl 
of soup given them by Madame Margaret 
Bosco; others were so miserably clad they 
had to be supplied with sufficient clothing 
to at least cover them. 

Don Bosco then sold a small vineyard 
and a few acres of land, which comprised 
all his possessions. The mother disposed 
of her wedding presents. She had jealous- 
ly preserved the beautiful linen and a few 
jewels received at her marriage, and valued 
them for their tender associations; but she 
unhesitatingly sold most of them, retain- 
ing a few to adorn the Blessed Virgin's 
altar. 

Margaret Bosco soon attracted to her as- 
sistance several holy women, among them 
the excellent mother of the illustrious 
Archbishop of Turin. It is impossible to 
describe the devotedness of these indefati- 
gable aids, whom the humblest and most 
tedious labor never wearied when there 
was question of the children. 

In the beginning of the year 1847, Don 
Bosco, thus installed in the Oratory, set 
about improving the work, by giving it a 



DON BOSCO. 39 

more definite form, and by introducing 
more regularity in its minor details. 

At this time he framed a Rule^ a perfect 
model of its kind, which has since been 
adopted by many other schools besides the 
Salesia7u 

He instituted officers^ selected from am.ong 
the best, most intelligent, and above all the 
most pious of the children. Each officer 
had his particular duty as well as his share 
of supervision and responsibility, and great 
care was taken to train them, that they in. 
their turn might train others. 

The conduct to be observed in church, at 
class, and at recreation was minutely regu- 
lated; and in order to incite the children to 
greater piety Don Bosco established among, 
them a Society of St. Aloysius, in which this 
Saint was held up as a model under all cir- 
cumstances in life. 

The worthy Archbishop of Turin, Mon- 
seigneur Franzoni, approved this Society ; 
he moreover encouraged in every possible 
way all Don Bosco's efforts, and as a proof 
of his interest gave Confirmation to the 
children in the humble chapel of the Ora- 
tory of Valdoco. 



40 DON BOSCO. 

This ceremony took place on the feast of 
SS. Peter and Paul, the 29th of June, 1847, 
and every effort was made to give it all the 
pomp and solemnity possible. 

Flags covered all the defects in the walls 
of the chapel; flowers and plants, and a 
triumphal arch of branches erected in front 
of the entrance, completed the decorations. 
When the Bishop ascended the pulpit and 
attempted to remove his mitre the ceiling 
proved rather low, but that did not lessen 
the electrifying effect of the words he ad- 
dressed to his )^oung, enthusiastic audience. 

These results did not suffice to satisfy 
the heart of the young priest who had be- 
come the tender, watchful father of his 
adopted family. He sighed to see many of 
his children, in consequence of their preca- 
rious position and the uncertainty of ob- 
taining work, left without shelter, obliged 
to sleep in stables and sheds, and even in 
lodgings still more injurious to them. 
Nothing could be more fatal than the de- 
plorable surroundings with which they were 
forcibly brought in contact. It is well 
known how impressionable youth is, and 
not a few children were thus lost. To ob- 



DON- BO SCO. 41. 

viate this evil, Don Bosco procured a hay- 
loft in the neighborhood of the Oratory, 
had the floor covered with fresh straw, and 
w^ith the aid of a few quilts afforded at least 
a temporary lodging to those children left 
in the streets. When the coverings failed 
he took bags. Those accustomed to sleep 
in the streets knew well how to appreciate 
these bags; they crept into them, and thus 
had linen under and over them. 

This primitive dormitory rendered good 
service. But Don Bosco soon learned that 
letting furnished lodgings was not all rose- 
colored. While he received only the chil- 
dren who frequented the Oratory all went 
well; but one da}^, or rather one evening, 
his charity led him to offer hospitality to a 
troop of little vagabonds he met in the waste 
lands which then surrounded the Oratory. 
Hoping to do them some good, he offered 
to lodge them. But in the morning, when 
he w^ent to give them a few words of good 
advice, he found the place empty, not a sin- 
gle coverlid remained, not even a bag: they 
had carried them all off. 

This unlucky adventure, far from discour- 
aging Don Bosco, only incited him to do 



42 DON BOSCO. 

Still more. A short time after this, in the 
month of May, an orphan, guided no doubt 
by the Blessed Virgin, presented himself at 
Don Bosco's door. He was a mason's ap- 
prentice, who had come to Turin in search 
of work; the small amount of money which 
composed all his savings was long since ex- 
pended, and he had yet found no employ- 
ment. 

The rain was falling in torrents this even- 
ing, and the poor child was wet from head 
to foot. Margaret Bosco soon made a 
bright fire to warm the guest whom Divine 
Providence had sent to her hearth. When 
she had given him his supper, she placed a 
straw pallet in the middle of the kitchen, 
with sheets and coverings, and on this 
princely bed the poor child slept more con- 
tentedly than a king. This was the first 
boarder at the Oratory; soon a second came, 
then a third; finally they increased to seven. 

Then they had to stop: it was impossible 
to accommodate another child, so small 
were the lodgings occupied by Don Bosco 
and his mother. 

They were no less crowded in the place 
used for the reunions of the children. They 



DON BOSCO, 43 

came in such numbers that on certain feast- 
days there assembled as many as eight hun- 
dred. 

The chapel, which was much frequented 
by the neighbors, could not accommodate 
them in addition to the children, many of 
whom were obliged to remain during the 
services in the class-rooms or in the court. 

There was the same difficulty at the rec- 
reations: the clrildren were so crowded to- 
gether their games became very difficult, 
sometimes impossible. 

Some measures must be taken. 

Don Bosco and the Rev. Abbe Borel, his 
faithful companion in all his labors, held 
counsel together, and decided without hesi- 
tation that the only means of obviating 
this difficulty was to establish a second 
Oratory, and the Archbishop's approval 
having been obtained, they set to work 
without delay. 

They rented a convenient locality — the 
place where the court of Victor Emmanuel 
II. now stands. The beautiful streets, 
costly dwellings, and carefully kept gar- 
dens which now adorn this quarter did not 
then exist. There was nothing to be seen 



44 DON BOSCO. 

but a few small houses, and a few scat- 
tered, ruined hovels, occupied principally 
by washerwomen, attracted here by the 
nearness of the river Po. 

The place selected was doubly favorable: 
they could do good to the population in- 
habiting that quarter, besides saving many 
of the children a long walk to and from 
their homes. 

The new Oratory was called The Oratory 
of St. Louis, in honor of the venerable Arch- 
bishop of Turin, who bears that name, and 
also in compliment to the Society of St. 
Aloysius, recently established among the 
young men. A great many people of the 
world took great interest in this foundation, 
and aided it with their money or labor; so 
that the excellent society of cooperators 
worked admirably even from the beginning, 
before it was incorporated in the rules; thus 
giving evident proof of its usefulness. 
Nearly everything necessary to furnish the 
chapel was donated, and the ladies embroi- 
dered with their own hands the greater 
part of the linen and vestments. 

The Oratory of St. Louis was solemnly 
opened on the 8th of December, 1847. A 



DON BOSCO. 45 

memorable anniversary; for on the 8th of 
December, 1841, Don Bosco received the 
first child of his adopted family. On the 
8th of December, 1844, he inaugurated the 
Oratory of St. Francis de Sales in the house 
of the Marquise Barolo; and three years 
afterward, in 1847, he said Mass for the 
first time at the Oratory of St. Louis. 

It can be seen how far the work had pro- 
gressed in that comparatively short time. 
Tv/o houses existed — very poor indeed in 
this world's goods, but most rich in the 
sight of God. Eight hundred children re- 
ceiving the Word of God! What a marvel- 
lous treasure! The clergy of Turin, encour- 
aged by their worthy Archbishop, earnestly 
lent their cooperation to the new Oratory. 
Several priests, under the eminent direction 
of the Rev. Abbe Borel, successively as- 
sumed the duties of director and chaplain, 
while others assisted in teaching. This 
state of things continued until the Oratory 
of St. Francis de Sales was able to furnish 
priests from among its members, who defi- 
nitely undertook the direction of the house. 

Meanwhile Don Bosco actively occupied 
himself with his Oratory of St. Francis de 



46 DON BOSCO. 

Sales, still installed in the Pindari house 
and shed. His great desire was to furnish 
food and lodgings to a certain number of 
children, many of whom w^ere beyond his 
influence, having no assured shelter, and 
being compelled to earn with difficulty their 
daily bread. They could not even come to 
the Oratory on Sunday, and his best efforts 
were rendered useless by their deplorable 
poverty. 

To buy the Pinardi house was hardly 
possible. Eighty thousand francs was the 
price asked for it — a sum entirely beyond 
his slender resources. He had to content 
himself with renting successively all the 
rooms as they were vacated by the boarders, 
and he devised every means of using to the 
best advantage a place as insufficient as it 
was inconvenient. 

The year 1848 was a very trying one 
The people were agitated and misled by 
revolutionary doctrines. The children could 
not escape such an influence, and many of 
them were led away and disappeared, and 
others became less assiduous and docile. 

Don Bosco had to be satisfied with re- 
doubling his efforts and devotion. He well 



DON BOSCO. 47 

knew that nothing was more capable of at- 
tracting and keeping the young people 
than the care which he took to instruct 
them. He at once considerably enlarged 
the schools, and thus was able to receive in 
the night classes more than three hundred 
young men: a large number, when we con- 
sider how difficult it was to make them all 
study with profit. 

At this time he established the custom, 
which has always been continued in the 
Salesian houses, of finishing the evening's 
work by giving a short instruction to the 
children. The simplest and also the most 
impressive truths were explained to them. 
The light of infinite love was made to shine 
upon their young souls, as the surest means 
of withdrawing them from the degrading 
influences of evil. This practice produced 
marvellous fruit. A great number of the 
children from that time really entered a 
life of perfection; many manifested senti- 
ments of deep and solid piety, and many 
religious vocations were developed. By 
prodigious efforts Don Bosco succeeded in 
supplying fifteen boarders with food and 
lodging at the Oratory. 



48 DON BO SCO. 

There were fifteen other children to 
whom he gave food only. These children 
went to their work in Turin and slept at 
home, but they came to the Oratory for 
their meals. And it may be readily imagined 
that Don Bosco did not fail to avail himself 
of these occasions to give them a few words 
of good advice. That a greater number 
might profit by this arrangement he received 
them by series; that is, fifteen children slept 
and took their meals in the house from 
Sunday morning till Saturday evening, then 
the next week fifteen others took their 
places. 

This plan was most ingenious in the 
good which it effected. But it no doubt 
entailed an extraordinary amount of care, 
the burden of which fell upon Don Bosco 
and his mother. 

While good Madame Margaret was busily 
at work in the kitchen, occupied with the 
household affairs, yet finding time also tc> 
mend the children's clothes, Don Bosco was 
often seen doing the heavy work of the 
house, drawing water, sweeping, sawing the 
wood, lighting the fire, shelling the peas and 
peeling the potatoes. He did not hesitate 



DON BOSCO. 49 

in case of necessity to don an apron and 
make the polenta himself, and on those days 
it was pronounced to be particularly 
good. 

Cutting out and even sewing a pair of 
pantaloons were not beyond his skill, and 
the repairs which he sometimes made on 
the children's clothes made up in strength 
for what they lacked in artistic finish. As 
to the refectory, it was of the most primitive 
kind. Each one seated himself where and 
how he could: some in the court on a stone 
or block of wood, others on the steps of the 
stairs, and the bowls were emptied as if by 
magic. 

A spring of fresh water flowed near by, 
furnishing a drink as healthy as it was 
abundant. When the repast was finished, 
each one washed his bowl and put it away 
in a safe place. As to the spoons, being 
very precious objects, and having no drawer 
in which to keep them, each one kept his in 
his pocket. What honest sweet happiness 
was enjoyed in this poor household, small 
court and humble rooms! After grace, 
Don Bosco was accustomed to say to his 
guests, '^Good appetite," and this innocent 



50 DON BOSCO, 

recommendation was invariably greeted 

with a great burst of laughter. 

The good father possessed an inexhaus- 
tible fund of gayety and youthful spirits; 
no one knew better than he how to amuse 
and interest the children. He told a story 
with charming humor, mingled with re- 
markable delicacy and grace of expression. 
What was wanting to the repasts in the 
way of seasoning was more than made up 
by the hearty appetites and joyousness of 
the guests. 

Don Bosco's table was no better supplied 
than the children's: bread and soup, soup 
and bread, this was the usual bill of fare for 
everybody. 

More than once ecclesiastics who came to 
assist him w^ere obliged to leave, not being 
able to endure such very primitive fare. 
Besides the time devoted to his dear 
Oratory, Don Bosco managed to give pri- 
vate lessons to poor young men in the city, 
in whom he recognized special talents or a 
dormant vocation. 

His excellent method and inexhaustible 
patience soon produced most distinguished 
pupils. Nor did he neglect for this his 



DON BO SCO. 51 

visits to the prisons, the Cottolengo Hospi- 
tal, and to the sick nor the confessions, 
etc.; and above all, he made every effort 
to enlarge and perfect the night-school, a 
work which supplied in a most special 
manner the needs of the time. He made 
the study of vocal and instrumental music 
a very important branch in the schools. 
The charming voices of some of the chil- 
dren and the perfection of their singing im- 
pressed the people, in whom a love of music 
is innate. This was an additional attrac- 
tion, and the number of children in the 
school continued to increase. Numbers of 
young professors and organists were edu- 
cated in these schools, and exhibited re^ 
markable talent. 

The study of music became a specialty 
in all the Salesian houses. As soon as a 
foundation was established a young organ- 
ist was at once appointed, and he was gen- 
erally one of the children who had shown 
musical ability, and who continued to per- 
fect himself while giving lessons and play- 
ing the harmonium at the church services. 

Music is a specific means of moral and 
intellectual culture and a great aid in all 



52 DON BOSCO. 

religious services. The success of the night- 
schools was so well appreciated, that the 
Municipality of Turin gave Don Bosco a 
prize of six thousand francs in recognition 
of his services, and later a prize of a thou- 
sand francs for music, to which was added 
an annual subsidy, which w^as paid until 
1872. 

The pastors of Turin objected to the func- 
tions of the parish, first Communion, Con- 
firmation, etc., being performed in a private 
institution, and complained to the Bishop; 
but as he had always cordially supported 
Don Bosco, he now^ invested him with the 
full powers of a parish priest, and the Ora- 
tory became The pa^'ish of neglected children. 

It is incomprehensible that this poor 
priest, so devoted to his apostolic mission, 
should be pursued by secret animosity. 
This was a point of resemblance between 
him and St. Francis de Sales. The numer- 
ous attempts made to assassinate Don 
Bosco can only be attributed to the diaboli- 
cal influence w^hich then prevailed. We 
shall see later in what miraculous ways he 
escaped the attacks of those who attempted 
his life. 



DON BO SCO. S3 

In 1849 his trials were not lessened. The 
spirit of revolt still spread its evil counsels, 
but this was all the more reason for making 
greater efforts to counteract it. In that 
year Don Bosco founded at Turin a third 
Oratory. It was established in the Van- 
chiglia quarter, then extremely poor, and 
entirely without a church. This Oratory 
was called the Angel Guardian. Later the 
Church of St. Julia was built near it, by the 
generosity of the Marquise Julia Barolo, and 
it was formed into a parish, to which all 
this quarter now belongs. 

The exigencies of the war, then being 
waged with Austria obliged the govern- 
ment to quarter the soldiers in the different 
seminaries, from which the students were in 
consequence expelled. Don Bosco readily 
received as many as he could accommodate, 
and the Oratory for a time was a sort of 
branch of the diocesan seminary. He 
lodged and fed thirty of the seminarians. 
Don Bosco's joy was very great at this 
time, for four of his children from the 
Oratory were invested with the soutane in 
October, 1849. These were the first scho- 
lastics from this Institution of St. Francis 



54 JOON BOSCO. 

de Sales, which was to assume such gigantic 
proportions. 

Since 1846 Don Bosco had rented first a 
part and later the whole of Pinardi's house. 
In the beginning of the year 1851 he be- 
came most unexpectedly its proprietor. 

Pinardi had always said that he would 
never part with his real estate for less than 
the exorbitant sum of eighty thousand 
francs. One day accosting Don Bosco in a 
tone of half jest, he said, 

"Well, Don Bosco does not care to buy 
my house ?'* 

*' Don Bosco will buy it when Mr. Pinardi 
will give it to him for a reasonable price.*' 

"I ask eighty thousand.'* 

"Then let us say no more about it." 

" What do you offer then ?'* 

"This building is valued at twenty-six or 
twenty-eight thousand francs: I will give 
you thirty for it.'* 

" Will you add five hundred as pin-money 
for my wife ?" 

" I will make that present.** 

"You will pay the money down?** 

"I will pay the money down.'* 

"In one payment, and in fifteen days?*' 



DON BO SCO, 55 

" As you wish.'* 

** A hundred thousand francs forfeiture ?" 

^^Well, a forfeiture of a hundred thou- 
sand francs." 

They shook hands, and the bargain, which 
had hardly taken five minutes, was con- 
cluded. As usual, Don Bosco had not the 
first cent of this sum; but there was ques- 
tion of the welfare of his children, so he had 
absolute confidence. Scarcely had Pinardi 
taken his departure when the Abbe Cafasso 
entered, bringing ten thousand francs — a 
generous gift from the Countess Casazza 
Ricardi. 

The next morning a Rosminian Father 
came to the Oratory to consult Don Bosco 
about investing the sum of twenty thou- 
sand, which had been entrusted to his care. 
Here was a splendid opportunity. The 
banker Cotta added three thousand francs, 
and this large amount was thus secured. 

The Pinardi house was bought and paid 
for February 19th, 1857, and Don Bosco at 
once set about building a church in honor 
of St. Francis de Sales. The one he had 
improvised was in a basement and conse- 
quently damp; besides which, there was so 



56 DON BOSCO, 

little ventilation, that often during the ser- 
vices the children became faint, and almost 
smothered for want of air. 

The plan was drawn by the ingenious 
Blachier, and the foundation was begun at 
once. There was the usual absence of re- 
sources, and the usual visible intervention 
of Divine Providence. 

An unexpected subsidy from Victor 
Emmanuel, numerous offerings, and finally 
a lottery, furnished the necessary funds. 

On the 2oth of January, 1852, the Church 
of St. Francis de Sales was solemnly con- 
secrated. The members of the Oratory 
then recalled certain certain w^ords of Don 
Bosco, which had passed unnoticed at the 
time, but with the realization of which they 
were now impressed. 

In 1846, when they lowered the ground 
under the shed to transform it into a 
chapel, the children during recreation 
amused themselves by climbing on the 
mounds of earth which had been dug out. 

One Sunday Don Bosco climbed one of 
the mounds with them, and made them sing 
several times to a particular air the follow- 
ing stanza: 



DON BOSCO, 57 

Praised be forever 
The names of Jesus and Mary; 

Forever praised be 
The name of Jesus incarnate. 



Then he said, "My children, some day, on 
this very spot where we now stand, the 
altar of a beautiful church will be raised, 
and you will come and kneel here to receive 
Holy Communion, and sing the praises of 
God." 

Five years afterward the Church of St. 
Francis de Sales covered this site, and the 
altar occupied the exact spot indicated by 
Don Bosco. 

Having built a temple to God, Don 
Bosco turned his attention to a house 
for his children. It was necessary to give 
them a permanent home in order to 
shelter them from the temptations of the 
street. 

He went at once to work, and large 
buildings rose in succession around the 
chapel. But this Oratory of St. Francis 
de Sales, which was to be the asylum of so 
many innocent souls, thirsting for perfec- 
tion and even for sanctity, was not achieved 



58 DON BO SCO. 

without enduring even severe material 
trials. 

First, there was, on the 26th of April, 
1852, a terrible explosion of a powder-mill 
situated about five hundred yards from the 
Oratory, which might have levelled it to 
the ground; stones weighing from two to 
three hundred pounds were thrown into 
the air, and enormous burning beams fell 
in the court. Many walls were cracked by 
the concussion, and it was astonishing that 
the church, which had only just been fin- 
ished, should have remained standing. The 
damage was repaired, and as soon as the 
church was consecrated, a large detached 
building, which was really indispensable, 
was begun. 

This building was nearly finished, the 
beams of the roof were in place, and noth- 
ing was wanting but the tiles, when sud- 
denly the rain came down in torrents. 
During the night between the 2d and 3d of 
December, the walls, loosened by the rain, 
fell with a frightful crash. Here, as at the 
time of the powder explosion, none of the 
household was injured. 

The next morning the Inspector of Build- 



DON BO SCO, 59 

ings sent an architect to examine the place. 
He noticed a large column, which, though 
out of plumb, yet supported a small house. 

"Was this house occupied last night?" 
he asked. 

" I slept there with thirty of the chil- 
dren." 

"Well, Monsieur I'Abbe, you may thank 
Our Lady: this pillar stands contrary to 
all the laws of equilibrium, and it is a mira- 
cle that you were not all crushed to death." 

The next year they were able to resume 
work on this building and complete it. 

In i860, when the Oratory was more 
severely menaced than ever, Don Bosco did 
not hesitate to purchase a large house, to 
which he added a story, thus doubling the 
accommodations for his orphans. Other 
buildings were added in 1862 and 1863. 
If the architecture of the Oratory of St. 
Francis de Sales of Valdoco as it now 
stands is somewhat irregular, it at least 
substantially realizes that famous plan, the 
description alone of which caused Don 
Bosco at one time to be considered insane. 
It can now accommodate a thousand peo- 
ple, besides the day pupils. It contains 



6o DON BOSCO. 

large workshops, where the children learn 
the different trades of carpenter, black- 
smith, locksmith, tailor, shoemaker, baker, 
and bookbinder. 

The printing establishment is very hand- 
some, and beautifully fitted up. It has 
already furnished more than two hundred 
moral and educational works, as well as 
works of piety. A type-foundry, a shop 
for the manufacture of glazed paper, and 
another for photography and photo-engrav- 
ing, complete the important trade of book- 
making. Finally, there is a large store, 
containing every variety of objects. 

In 1865 Don Bosco laid the foundation- 
stone of a church dedicated to Our Lady 
Help of Christians, close by the Ora- 
tory. 

This magnificent edifice was completed 
in 1868, and attracts great numbers of the 
faithful. 

The Salesian work soon spread in a most 
astonishing manner. The advantages of 
these popular institutions, destined for the 
reception of poor neglected children, were 
so evident, that several other cities begged 
for Oratories like those of Turin. 



DON BOSCO. 6l 

Foundations of this kind were estab- 
lished at first in Italy, then in France, in 
Spain, and even in America. 

There are in Italy, besides the three 
Oratories of Turin, and various smaller 
establishments, the Oratory and Hospital 
of St. Benigne; the Collegiate Seminary of 
St. Charles, at Borgo San Martino; the 
College of St. Philip de Neri, at Lanzo- 
Torinese; that of the Immaculate Concep- 
tion, at Valsalice, near Turin; of St. John 
the Baptist, at Varazze; of Our Lady of the 
Angels, at Alassio; the Manfred ini House, 
at Este; the Hospital of St. Vincent de 
Paul, at San Pier d'Arena; the St. Paul 
Schools at La Spezia; the Oratory of the 
Cross, at Lucca; the Collegiate seminary 
of the Immaculate Conception, at Mag- 
liano Sabino; the establishment of St. 
Basile, at Randazzo; and of Bordighierra, 
the Parish and Hospital of the Sacred 
Heart at Rome. 

There are four houses in France. The 
first one was established at Nice in 1875, 
and bears the name of the Patronage of St. 
Peter. Then two farm-houses — that of St. 
Joseph, for boys, at Navarre, near La Crau 



62 DON BOSCO. 

d'Hyeres; and St. Isidore, for girls, at St. 
Cyr, in the Var. 

In 1878 Don Bosco founded at Marseilles 
the Oratory of St. Leo, which has already 
received more than three hundred children. 

A house was opened in Spain, at Utrera, 
near Seville, in 1881, and two others in 
1882. These extraordinary fruits not satis- 
fying the great charity of his apostolic 
heart, Don Bosco undertook to extend the 
work of the Catholic missions to South 
America. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ was the first mis- 
sionary sent by His Heavenly Father, and 
all His disciples have endeavored to con- 
tinue the great mission of the redemption 
of the W'Orld confided to His Apostles. 

Don Bosco resolved to carry the light of 
the Gospel to the wild, savage tribes of 
Patagonia. 

All the missionaries who had attempted 
to penetrate into these distant countries 
had been killed, and, tradition adds, eaten. 
Such is said to have been the fate of the 
numerous Jesuit Fathers who courageously 
went to this inhospitable country, never to 
be seen again. 



. DON BOSCO. 63 

Every effort was vainly made to dissuade 
Don Bosco from such an undertaking, but, 
fortified by the encouragement and bless- 
ing of His Holiness Pius IX., he sent forth 
his missionaries. 

On November 11, 1875, the first Salesian 
priests set sail, under the guidance of Don 
Cagliero, and landed at Buenos Ayres on the 
14th of December, 

The great gentleness and exquisite 
sweetness of St. Francis de Sales again 
triumphed over savage barbarism. 

The missionaries established themselves 
on the confines of Patagonia, and. im- 
mediately founded there a church and 
school. 

They began by attracting to themselves 
the children, then a few savages, and in 
this way secured their first neophytes. 

When it was thought advisable, they 
attempted an expedition into the interior 
of the country. They went by sea ; but a 
violent storm overtook the ship, and, after 
having been tossed about for thirteen days 
on a stormy sea, the unfortunate mission- 
aries found themselves just where they had 
started from — at the entrance of the harbor 



64 DON BOSCO. 

of Buenos Ayres, to which they were 
obliged to return. 

Repulsed by the sea, they set out by 
land. I will not enumerate the stirring ad- 
ventures of this expedition, accomplished in 
the midst of so many dangers. But success 
crowned their generous efforts. To the 
Salesian priests is due the honor of having 
planted the cross in these savage coun- 
tries. 

Great numbers were baptized, churches 
and schools were built, as well as houses for 
the reception of children. The glad tidings 
were proclaimed that the great command, 
Ite et docete omnes gentes ('* Go, preach to all 
nations"), was fulfilled. 

The Salesian missions of South America 
are not confined to Patagonia. Missions, 
and foundations have been established also 
in the Argentine Republic, Paraguay, La 
Plata, Uruguay, Las Pampas, and others 
are soon to be founded in Brazil. 

The following are the names of the prin- 
cipal houses in the order in which they were 
established : 

College of St. Nicholas, of Los Arroyos. 

Hospital of Mercy, at Buenos Ayes. 



DON BOSCO. 65 

St. Charles in Almagro, at Buenos Ayres. 

Parish of Carmen, in Patagonia. 

Parish of Mercy, at Viedma, in Patago- 
nia. 

Villa Colon, near Montevideo. 

Charity College, at Montevideo. 

Oratory of St. Vincent de Paul, in the 
parish of Our Lady of Peace. 

Las Piedras, in the parish of St. Isidore, 
near Montevideo. 

Paysandu, the parish of Our Lady of the 
Rosary. 

There are besides, in Patagonia, several 
other stations regularly attended at stated 
intervals. 

To sum up in large numbers: 

More than a hundred thousand children 
have been received in the Salesian houses 
in Italy, France, Spain, and in South Amer- 
ica ; besides furnishing to the Church a 
formidable militia of more than six thou- 
sand priests. The Word of God is spread 
in distant countries. Thousands of savages 
baptized. 

The Sisters of Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians teach the little Patagonian girls. 

Such is the Salesian work. 



66 DON BOSCO, 

When we consider all that Don Bosco has 
accomplished we are struck with astonish- 
ment at the magnitude of the result ob- 
tained in so short a time. The hand of God 
is really visible here directing the man, who 
is but his instrument ; but what marvels 
shine out in this simple and perfect course, 
which consists in unreserved abandonment 
to Divine Providence, seeking no other aid 
or support than the maternal assistance of 
the Blessed Virgin! 

Let it not be imagined that Don Bosco 
is daring or rash in his undertakings. He 
never began a foundation until circum- 
stances made it absolutely necessary ; but 
when this was evident, he never hesitated, 
but went promptly to work, undeterred by 
want of funds, losing no time in consider- 
ations or useless preliminaries. 

We must, he used to say, begin by taking 
the affair on our shoulders, and as we pro- 
gress we soon find that the burden settles 
down and finds its equilibrium. 

Nevertheless he always proceeded cau- 
tiously, and was humbly content at first with 
the most modest lodgings for his priests 
and children, satisfied, when he could pro- 



DON BOSCO. 67 

cure it, to give them, in the beginning, bread 
and soup. Later, everything was much 
more generously supplied. 

When a foundation was decided upon, he 
sent a few of his priests, sine sacculo et sine 
perd (*^ without sack or scrip"), just as Our 
Lord told His Apostles to go. 

The first time I had the pleasure of meet- 
ing a Salesian priest I could not help ask- 
ing him, "Father, hov/ do you manage to 
feed all these children ?" 

I will never forget the surprised expres- 
sion of his face, and the tone in which he 
said, raising his hand to heaven, "Divine 
Providence." 

For him, charged with providing for all 
the wants of these children of God, there 
existed not a shadow of a doubt of the cer- 
tain and active intervention of Divine Prov- 
idence. All the priests of the Oratory of 
St. Francis de Sales are thoroughly imbued 
with this imperturbable faith. 

Don Bosco never enlarged any of his 
houses unless it was absolutely necessary ; 
that is, he always waited until there was no 
more room to receive the children before 
adding to the building. Then he set to 



68 DON BOSCO. , 

work with great confidence, assured that 
the necessary funds would not be wanting, 
but would come in good time. The living 
stones, so to speak, always preceded the 
material ones. 

Don Bosco undeniably possesses excep- 
tional administrative ability. There is in 
him the making of a great minister. He 
keeps in mind the most minute details of 
each of his houses. He knows the character 
not only of all his priests, his clerks and his 
professors, but also his children, all the co- 
operators whom he has seen or heard of, 
and all the benefactors of the work. He 
never forgets even those he meets casually. 

His memory is astonishing. It is told that 
at the seminary he never bought a treatise 
on theology. The instructions he received 
sufficed him, and he could repeat them word 
for word. Half an hour was the time al- 
lowed in the morning for dressing. He 
was always ready in ten minutes, and spent 
the rest of the time reading Rohrbacher^s 
History, which he thus learned by heart. 
He could at any time, if a verse were cited 
to him, repeat entire pages of Dante or 
Virgil, 



DON BOSCO. 69 

These wonderful gifts explain how, al- 
though a shepherd till his fifteenth year, he 
nevertheless was able to acquire such pro- 
found and solid learniag. 

It is incomprehensible how, with poor 
health, failing sight, and weak limbs, he 
can endure such great, incessant labor; 
for, besides the direction of his numerous 
houses, Don Bosco is always ready to listen 
to sufferers and console them, and the num- 
ber of these is certainly very great. He 
receives at least two hundred letters a day, 
and everywhere he goes innumerable peo- 
ple flock to see him. 

It is true he finds in his priests and in 
many of the laity admirable assistants, 
whose zeal and devotion are untiring. 

Then he has made it an invariable rule 
to attend to his immediate duties well, with 
great care, and without precipitation. 

Although he has naturally a quick tem- 
per, he has acquired such perfect self-con- 
trol that nothing can disturb his unaltera- 
ble peace and serenity. 

He is easy of access, and when any one is 
admitted to his presence he alwa5^s receives 
him as if he ware some distinguished per- 



70 DON BOSCO, 

sonage who honors him by his visit. Al- 
though people sometimes take advantage of 
this and make him lose his valuable time, 
yet he never appears to think them impor- 
tunate or the visit too long, and seems to 
have really nothing else to do but listen to 
them. 

Never hurrying through his duties in 
order to accomplish a great deal, is the 
great secret of his success; bearing always 
in mind the favorite expression of one of 
our greatest surgeons, Nelaton, who, when 
he undertook a difficult and delicate opera- 
tion, would say to his assistants, " Above all, 
let us not hurry, for we have no time to 
lose." 

Foolish worldlings, to whom time is 
money or pleasure, need to reflect upon the 
value this useless struggle after perishable 
things will one day have, when weighed in 
the Divine balance. 

All the Salesian houses are regulated by 
a uniform system. 

The professors, instructors, and the heads 
of the different departments are generally 
Salesians, priests, ecclesiastics, or laymen. 
Foreign aid is sometimes called in requisi- 



DON BO SCO. 71 

tion, according to the needs of the estab- 
lishment. The children learn trades and 
receive elementary instruction. 

Those who show decided ability and spe- 
cial talent become students. They are 
taught Latin and all the studies required 
by the government, so that they can aspire 
to administrative and professional careers. 

Finally, a goodly number in whom a re- 
ligious vocation is decidedly manifest be- 
come priests. 

Among these Don Bosco recruits the 
greater part of his staff, besides the priests 
he furnishes to the different dioceses. 

Most of the pari^ priests of Italy, espe- 
cially of Northern Italy, come from the 
Oratory; and the Salesian houses supply 
half, and sometimes three quarters, of the 
staff of the large seminaries of Piedmont and 
Lombardy. 

Don Bosco^s method of teaching is simple 
and most efficacious, and is now adopted by 
many colleges and educational houses. The 
classical books he has written are also per- 
fect models. We have known young men 
twenty years old, scarcely knowing how to 
read and write, competent, after a few years' 



72 DON- BO SCO. 

Study under his system, to enter a large sem- 
inary and to become learned priests. 

In regard to moral training, the children 
in the Salesian houses are governed by the 
preventive method; that is, every effort is 
made to prevent their committing faults, to 
avoid the necessity of punishing. 

The priests educated in Don Bosco's 
schools excel in the application of this 
method; thoroughly impregnated with the 
pure spirit of St. Francis de Sales, they 
know that to love the children and win 
their love is the best method of governing 
them. 

The secret of this metTiod is comprised in 
the words of St. Paul: Charitas benigna est, 
pattens est; omnia stiff e7't, omnia sperat^ omnia 
^?/i'//;zd'/ (" Charity is kind, is patient; bear- 
eth all things, hopeth all things, endureth 
all things"). 

The teachers always endeavor to win the 
hearts of the pupils and make every effort 
to prevent the slightest distrust, and in 
their relations in which affection replaces 
constraint, a word, a simple glance, is suffi- 
cient reproof. Severe reprimands and pun- 
ishments are unnecessary. 



DON BO SCO. 73 

The Salesian houses are above all par- 
ticularly distinguished for the path of 
Christian perfection in which the children 
are carefully trained, and the enormous 
good resulting therefrom. The children 
make their first Communion very young, 
according to the custom in the early Church. 
When children are intelligent and suffi- 
ciently instructed, it is not necessary to con- 
sider the age, but allow them to approach 
the Holy Table, that the King of Heaven 
may come and reign in their innocent 
hearts. 

'' Nearly all the children receive Com- 
munion every Sunday, a great many two or 
three times a week, and some of them every 
day. Frequent confession and Communion 
and daily Mass are the pillars which should 
support all education, if we wish to abolish 
threats and punishments." 

The children are scarcely ever left alone. 
All the young ecclesiastics and priests, after 
presiding in the workshops and at the 
classes, remain with the children, joining 
most heartily in their games. ^' Do what- 
ever you like," said St. Philip Neri, ''I will 
be satisfied if you do not commit sin." 



74 DON BOSCO. 

Formerly Don Bosco himself joined in the 
games with incredible zest. He loves chil- 
dren devotedly, and the dear little creatures 
fully return his love. They never meet him 
without kissing his hand with an affection 
and tenderness touching to behold. 

At one time Don Bosco could not appear 
in the streets of Turin without attracting a 
following of children. 

The manner in which the different work- 
shops are regulated is simply marvellous. 
The principal trades taught are those of 
printer, bookbinder, tailor, shoemaker, car- 
penter, blacksmith, as well as farming. 

Poor human nature rebels against the 
hard law of labor; but the soul, if not neg- 
lected, may find in it a profitable means of 
advancement. 

Often during the day, and especially in 
the evening after work, a few words of 
spiritual comfort are addressed to the chil- 
dren. They are reminded how manual labor 
was honored and glorified by Our Lord 
Himself, who was during his mortal life a 
simple workman like them. They are told 
of this adorable model and of his Heavenly 
Father, by whom He was received on His 



DON BOSCO. 75 

triumphant entry into heaven after the sor- 
rows and trials of His life on earth. 

The Christian workshop is a veritable 
abode of profound peace and unalterable 
happiness when the work is properly con- 
sidered, and not merely endured, but joy- 
fully accepted and sanctified. Armed with 
solid piety, these young men can valiantly 
encounter the difficulties of life, and Vv^alk 
unflinchingly in the right path; and such is 
generally the result of the Salesian teach- 
ings. A goodly number of them have at- 
tained very honorable positions. Some 
have become good merchants and noted 
manufacturers. Others have raised them- 
selves to the highest places in the govern- 
ment, the public schools, the magistracy^, 
and the army. But whether fortune smiles 
upon them, or whether they remain in the 
humblest position, their love for the house 
in which they were educated never alters. 
If it is in their power, they never fail to re- 
turn every year to make a retreat; and they 
always retain unbounded veneration and 
gratitude for Don Bosco and their former 
masters. 

But the characteristic trait of the thou- 



76 DON BOSCO, 

sands of children educated in the Salesian 
houses must not be forgotten. Not one of 
them, since the first day of the foundation, 
has ever been arrested or condemned by 
the judiciary. 

It is a well-known, undeniable fact, that 
the Salesian Society, by its care of poor, 
abandoned children, renders signal service 
to the country. Twenty-five thousand 
children leave these houses every year, and 
the same number is received, and all these 
young men become good, honest citizens, 
men of worth and merit; thus this work 
contributes in a great measure to the honor 
and prosperity of the nation. 

Applications come from all parts and all 
countries to Don Bosco for Salesian Insti- 
tutes; but unfortunately he is unable to 
satisfy all the demands, for want of suffi- 
cient funds and for lack of assistants. 



I now come to a subject which it is neces- 
sary to treat with great delicacy. I wish to 
speak of the innumerable cures and the 
signal favors obtained by Don Bosco, in 
which the direct intervention of the Blessed 



DON BOSCO. 1 77 

Virgin, under the title of ^' Our Lady Help 
of Christians," is readily recognized. 

These favors were especially manifested 
at the time Don Bosco commenced the 
beautiful church dedicated under this title. 
A sudden cure was obtained at the end of 
a novena to Our Lady Help of Christians, 
and soon resulted in an immense concourse 
of people coming from great distances, so- 
liciting cures and graces of all kinds. 

Don Bosco simply advised all of them 
to make a novena to Our Lady Help of 
Christians, and to promise an offering for 
her church if their prayers were granted. 
The offerings which came from this source 
— that is, from favors obtained — were so nu- 
merous and s-o large, that they alone almost 
sufficed to cover the entire expense of build- 
ing this magnificent edifice. 

These favors have since multiplied be- 
yond computation, so that it is almost im- 
possible to enumerate them. 

Does it not seem evident that Our Lady 
Flelp of Christians thus wishes to testify 
how pleasing to her is the care taken of 
so many neglected children, and that the 
Divine Mother wishes to procure in this 



78 DON BOSCO. 

way the material resources necessary to 
sustain the Salesian work ? 

The amount realized from the labor of 
the children in the various shops is not suf- 
ficient to aid materially in the work of the 
Society. Most of them are young and yet 
unskilled in the trades they are learning, 
and many of them are students. It is ap- 
palling to estimate the enormous sum re- 
quired to carry on this work. 

A hundred thousand children, most of 
whom have to be fed and clothed; a hun- 
dred and thirty houses, in which the daily 
expenditure is very great ; then the mis- 
sionaries to be sent to foreign countries 
and supported. And, in addition to this 
heavy burden, His Holiness Leo XIII. has 
lately entrusted to Don Bosco the finishing 
of the Church of the Sacred Heart, now be- 
ing built at Castro Pretorio, on Mount Es- 
quiline, in Rome. He has to obtain the 
sum necessary to finish this important edi- 
fice, to which is to be attached a Salesian 
institute capable of accommodating a large 
number of children of all nationalities. 

The Salesian work having no other re- 
source than that of voluntary contribu- 



DON BOSCO, 79 

tions, Our Lady Help of Christians ceases 
not to manifest her power, and to bestow 
favors on those who remember Don Bosco's 
children. 

Hence, if people are not prompted by 
motives of faith and charity to render as- 
sistance, they may contribute through inter- 
ested motives, for the promise is infallible. 

^' Ce7ities tantum nunc., in tempore hoc . . . 
et in sceculo futuro vitam ceternam'' (Mark x. 
30). ^^ An hundred times as much now in 
this time . . . and in the world to come 
life everlasting." Some obtain material 
prosperity, others, receive favors of a much 
higher order, graces and cures, such as a 
loved one rescued from the grasp of death, 
an invalid restored to health. . . . 

Sometimes the cure is immediate, but 
generally it does not take place immedi- 
ately, the disease following its natural 
course. 

Don Bosco, like the Cure of Ars, dreads 
notoriety. He usually says to those who 
apply to him for prayers, ** You will come 
at such a time to return thanks to Our 
Lady Help of Christians," or, ''We will 
pray for you." 



8o DON BOSCO, 

To obtain a favor, Don Bosco generally 
advises a novena to Our Lady, composed 
of Three Our Fathers^ Hail Alarys, Glory be 
to the Fathers^ and the Hail Holy Queen. He 
has a singular devotion to this last prayer, 
and he never fails to furnish the person 
with a medal of Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians. He advises some work of charity 
as thanksgiving for graces obtained, but 
leaves everybody perfectly free in this 
matter, and in his delicacy refrains from 
even suggesting one of his own houses as 
the object of charity, although it is espe- 
cially to these establishments that Our Lady 
Help of Christians has shown her protection. 

He has the children in all the houses 
pray for the benefactors, and when a par- 
ticular favor is asked, these prayers never 
fail to reach heaven. 

It would require a very large volume to 
contain the history of the precious graces 
thus obtained; moreover, the time to reveal 
them has not yet come. 

It can at least be said that those persons 
who have sought to obtain the protection 
of Divine Providence in their temporal af- 
fairs, by giving a tenth of their income to 



DON BO SCO, 8 1 

the support of these poor, abandoned chil- 
dren cared for in the Salesian houses, have in 
almost every instance realized this blessing 
beyond their greatest hopes or expectation. 

If I thought it prudent, I could add to 
this sketch very many interesting facts. I 
could, for example, telhhow, when His Ho- 
liness Pius IX. took refuge at Gaeta, Don 
Bosco prophesied to him the events that 
vi^ould signalize his reign. I could also 
speak of the singular esteem and venera- 
tion that this great Pope had for Don 
Bosco, sentiments in which his successor, 
Leo XIII., also shares. But all this will be 
told later much better than I could do it. 

The following are the four principal 
works founded by Don Bosco: 

1. The Salesian Association, with its 
priests, laymen, and missionaries. 

2. The Institute of the Daughters of Marie 
Auxiliatrice, 

3. The Society of Marie Auxiliatrice, for 
helping young men studying for the priest- 
hood. 

4. Finally, the Co-operators of St. Fran- 
cis de Sales, a pious Association, of which 
we will give some details. 



82 DON BOSCO. 



THE CO-OPERATORS OF ST. FRAN- 
CIS DE SALES. 




HEN Don Bosco began in 1841 to 

gather together poor, abandoned 
children from the streets and lanes 
of Turin, Providence soon sent him assist- 
ants who associated themselves with him in 
this noble work. 

Several priests and laymen came to his 
assistance in the care of the children. 
Some taught them catechism, and helped 
in the classes; others obtained for those 
out of place good Christian masters. 

As these poor little people were generally 
in rags, pious ladies of rank, and of all 
classes in Turin, took upon themselves the 
task of mending their clothes and of mak- 
ing them new ones. 

Such was the origin of the Co-operators 
of St. Francis de Sales. Their number now 
exceeds eighty thousand, ten thousand of 
which are in France. 

The Association did so much good, that 
Don Bosco, wishing to give it permanent 



DON BOSCO. 83 

form, framed for it, in 1858, rules, which he 
perfected in 1864 and 1868. 

These rules were several times submitted 
to His Holiness Pius IX., and were finally 
finished and definitely adopted in 1874. 

This Association of Salesian Co-opera- 
tors received from Pius IX., of immortal 
memory, the most marked encouragement. 

He had his name inscribed at the head 
of the list of Co-operators,, and established 
the Association in the Third Order. 

He commanded the Congregation of 
Rites to grant to said Co-operators all the 
indulgences that may be gained by the Ter- 
tiaries of the most favored orders, especially 
the Tertiaries of St. Francis of Assisi. 

The following is the brief of Pius IX., 
dated May 9th, 1876. 

" A pious Association of the faithful being 
canonically established, under the name of 
the Society or Ufiioji of Salesian Co-operators^ 
the members of which propose, besides the 
exercise of different works of piety and 
charity, to take especial care of poor, aban- 
doned children, in order to promote the 
daily increase of this Association, We, con- 
fiding in the mercy of Almighty God, and 
in virtue of the authority given His blessed 



84 DON BOSCO. 

Apostles Peter and Paul, grant to all the 
faithful of both sexes, who belong and will 
belong in the future to this Society, SLplen- 
ary indulgence at the hour of death, provided 
sincere repentance for sin is joined to the 
reception of the sacraments of Penance and 
the Eucharist, or if prevented from receiv- 
ing them, they, with sincere contrition, de- 
voutly invoke the name of Jesus at least in 
their hearts, and they accept death from 
the hand of God in a spirit of penance, and 
as a just chastisement for their sins. We 
likewise grant in the mercy of God another 
plenary i?idulgence, and the remission of all 
their sins, to those associates (which indul- 
gence may be gained once a month on any 
day they choose) who, sincerely repentant, 
confess their sins and receive Holy Com- 
munion in some church or public oratory, 
and who afterward, devoutly visiting this 
same church or orator}^, pray fervently to 
God for unity among Christian princes, for 
the extirpation of heresies, the conversion 
of sinners, and for the glory of our Holy 
Mother the Church. This indulorence is 
also applicable to the souls of the faithful 
who departed this life in union with God 
in the bonds of charity. Wishing, moreover. 



DON BO SCO. 85 

to give to the aforesaid associates a special 
mark of Our protection, We grant them, 
in virtue of Our apostolic authority, ail the 
indulgences, plenary as well as partial, that 
may be gained by the Tertiaries of St. 
Francis of Assisi, and the privilege of law- 
fully and freely gaining on the feasts of 
St. Francis de Sales and in the churches 
of the Salesian priests all the indulgences 
granted the Tertiaries on the feast of St. 
Francis of Assisi, provided they faithfully 
fulfil in the name of God the works of 
piety enjoined for the gaining of these 
indulgences. And notwithstanding all else 
to the contrary, this present brief shall 
henceforth remain in force in perpetuity."^ 

As soon as Leo XIII. was raised to the 
chair of Peter, he immediately wished to 
become, like Pius IX., a Salesian Co-operator. 
" Being inscribed as Co-operator,*' said he, 
" I wish to be the first operator;" and he has 
never failed to encourage and bless the work. 

Here again are the exact words of Leo 
XIII. to Don Bosco: *^ Whenever you ad- 
dress the Salesian Co-operators, say that I 
bless them with all my heart; that the ob- 
ject of the Society is to prevent the ruin of 
youth, and that they should form one heart 



86 DON BOSCO. 

and one soul to aid in attaining the end pro- 
posed by this Association of St. Francis de 
Sales." ^ 

And as a proof of the importance he at- 
taches to this work and of the interest he 
takes in it, our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII. 
has deigned to appoint the most eminent 
Cardinal, Lorenzo Nina, protector of the 
Salesian Society. 

This Association thus markedly approved 
by the Church is a veritable Third Order, 
and may become the centre of all good 
works. The beautiful harvest of the Lord 
is ready; let the reapers hasten to the work. 

Fides sine operihcs mortiia est (^t. James). 
" Faith without works is dead." 

Any one from the age of thirteen may 
become a Co-operator, and at his request a 
certificate of admission from an authorized 
Salesian priest will be sent to him. If the 
Co-operators observe the rules of the Asso- 
ciation, they share, from the time of their 
admission, in all the favors, indulgences, 
and spiritual graces granted to the Society. 
They have part in all the Masses, prayers, 
novenas, missions, etc., and in all the works 
of charity performed by all the Salesians 
throughout the world. No pious practices 



DON BOSCO. 87 

are required of the Salesian Co-operators, 
except an Our Father and Hail Ma^y, once 
a day, in honor of St. Francis de Sales for 
the intention of the Holy Father. But the 
members are recommended to approach 
frequently the Sacraments of Penance and 
the Eucharist, and to make, if possible, a 
short ^retreat every year, and to perform 
every month the exercise for a happy death. 
Modesty in dress, sobriety, simplicity in 
their surrounding^., fidelity to the duties of 
their state of life, seeing that those under 
their charge are faithful in the exact ob- 
servance of Sundays and feast-days, are 
also recommended. The members of the 
Salesian Society- regard all the Co-opera- 
tors as brothers in Jesus Christ, and ap- 
peal to them whenever their concurrence 
may tend to the glory of God or the 
good of souls. The Co-operators, when 
necessary, apply with the same freedom to 
the members of the Salesian Society, for 
example, in case of sickness, or to obtain 
some grace. Special prayers are also offered 
for them after death. 

The Co-operators should do all in their 
power to promote religious worship, en- 
deavor to encourage religious vocations 



88 DON BOSCO. 

spread good books, and exercise their char- 
ity towards the poor abandoned children, 
whose salvation is endangered by their 
poverty. 

They will, of course^ make every effort 
to aid the Salesian w^orks, either by making 
once a month, or at least once a year, an 
offering according to their means, *or by 
collecting donations and alms by whatever 
means their charitable hearts may suggest. 

We cannot do better than to give in con- 
clusion a few w^ords of Don Bosco's, ad- 
dressed in a recent Salesian Bulletin to his 
dear Co-operators: " In the name of heaven, 
which is to be one day your recompense; in 
the name of the poor little creatures, who 
cannot plead for themselves; in the name of 
God, who promises an eternity of happiness 
to those who comfort the suffering — do not 
forget the work we have undertaken; never 
lose sight of your young proteges. If you 
have done all in your power for them, even 
if you have exceeded the limits permitted 
by your income, it still remains for you to 
recommend the work to your friends, pro- 
cure for us new Co-operators, by making 
known the good that will accrue to them- 
selves and to society. Form a sort of 



DON BOSCO, 89 

league to arrest the progress of demagogues, 
of immorality, and of the frightful scandals 
of the dissolute youth, who are making 
rapid strides towards atheism. And when 
you have done all that the. love of religion 
inspires great souls to do, be assured that 
there still remains much good to be accom- 
plished." 

Dum temples habe??ius operemui' bo7tum. " Let 
us do good while we yet have time." * 



DEVOTION TO OUR LADY HELP 
OF CHRISTIANS. 




HE devotion rendered to the Blessed 
Virgin, under the title of Maria 
Auxilium Christianoriun (Mary 
Help of Christians), is of very ancient date. 



* For the better understanding of this subject we 
should read a little pamphlet, to be had in all the 
Salesian houses, entitled **Salesian Co-operators, or 
practical means of aiding the Society for promoting 
good morals." 

It also contains a complete list of all the indul- 
gences that may be gained, as well as a short rule of 
life for the Salesian Co-operators. 



90 DON BOSCO, 

But it was after the battle of Lepanto, in 
1571, that it received in a manner official 
recognition. 

The Christian fleet put to flight the Turk- 
ish fleet, to the cry of ''Live Alary;' and Pope 
Pius v., learning by revelation this signal 
victory before the arrival of any messenger, 
commanded that the invocation Mary 
Help of Christians^ pray for tis, should here- 
after be iiiserted in the Litany of Loretto. 

A century later, in 1683, two hundred 
thousand Turks laid siege to the city of 
Vienna. Prince Charles of Lorraine had 
but thirty thousand men to oppose this in- 
vasion. Again the Pope, Innocent XI., 
came to the aid of the Christians, by order- 
ing public prayers and by calling Christian 
princes to the assistance of the besieged 
city. Only one of them responded to the 
appeal — John Sobieski, of glorious memory. 
With a handful of men he entered Vienna, 
then a heap of ruins. On the 12th of Sep- 
tember he went with Prince Charles to 
assist at Mass, which he himself served, 
kneeling with arms crossed; then he cried 
out, " Let us go forth under the protection 
of the Blessed Virgin to meet the enemy, 
and victory will be ours." 



DON BO SCO, 91 

In fact, after a short battle the Turks 
retreated in confusion across the Danube, 
abandoning immense spoils. All Christen- 
dom unanimously attributed to the protec- 
tion of the Blessed Virgin the astonishing 
victory which delivered not only Austria 
but Europe from the invasion of the Turks. 
On this occasion the first Confraternity in 
honor of Mary Help of Christians was estab- 
lished at Munich, in Bavaria. 

Pius V. inserted in the Litany the invo- 
cation Mary Help of Christians^ and Pius 
VII. instituted this feast on the 24th of 
May. 

Exiled to Fontainebleau by Napoleon I., 
Pius VII. promised to honor the Blessed 
Virgin under the title of Help of Christians^ 
if she would regain for him possession of 
the papal city. 

On the 24th of May, 1814, he made his 
triumphal entry into Rome, and decreed 
that this date should be the feast of Mary 
Help of Christians. 

In 1817, a painting, representing the 
Blessed Virgin under this title, was placed 
in the Church of Santa Maria in Monti eel It 
at Rome. Numerous indulgences were 
granted to the Associations and Confrater- 



9^ DON BOSCO. 

nity established in her honor; the faithful 
flocked here in great numbers, and signal 
graces were obtained. 

The City of Turin was not backward in 
this devotion. It was the first to associate 
itself with the Confraternity of Munich, and 
it soon established a special Confraternity 
of Our Lady Help of Christians, which Pius 
VI. _, by a rescript dated February 9th, 1798, 
enriched with precious Indulgences and 
spiritual favors. This Confraternity held 
its meetings in the Church of St. Francis 
of Paul, where Cardinal Maurice, Prince of 
Savoy, who died in 1657, had a beautiful 
marble statue of Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians placed. 

To extend this devotion to Mary Help of 
Christians, so popular in Turin, Don Bosco 
determined to erect in her honor a beauti- 
ful church at Valdoco. 

This quarter, containing thirty-five thou- 
sand souls, was at that time entirely with- 
out a church. The little chapels of La 
Providence and the Oratory of St. Francis 
de Sales were absolutely insufficient for 
the accommodation of the faithful on feast- 
days, and even on Sundays. 

If, heretofore, any doubt had existed with 



DON BOSCO, 93 

regard to the advisability of this under- 
taking, it was removed by the august Pius 
IX., who, upon being informed of this design, 
immediately replied that the title of Mary 
Help of Christians would assuredly attract 
favors from the Queen of Heaven. He sent 
an offering of five hundred francs to help 
in the building of the church, and accom- 
panied the gift with his special blessing. 

Encouraged by this approbation, Don 
Bosco chose a suitable site very near the Ora- 
tory. Then the architect, Spezzia, drew a 
plan for a church in the form of a Latin 
cross, which w^as to cover a space of twelve 
hundred square metres. 

The corner-stone was solemnly laid on 
the 27th of April, 1865. 

When the work began there were but 
eight -sous in the treasury, the five hundred 
francs sent by the Holy Father having been 
expended for the land. 

Various sums had been promised by the 
municipality and by charitable persons, 
but for some unknown reason these prom- 
ises were not very promptly fulfilled. 

It v^''as doubtless because of this failure 
of human aid that the intervention of the 
Queen of Heaven w^as manifested in so 



94 DON BOSCO. 

striking a manner, and that she thus clearly 
demonstrated her desire to have, not only 
an ideal temple in their hearts, but likewise 
a real edifice where her Divine Son would 
be honored through her mediation. 

Undeterred by these difficulties^ Don 
Bosco resolutely set the laborers to work 
digging the foundation. 

In a fortnight the sum due to the work- 
men amounted to a thousand francs. These 
poor men could not wait any longer; they 
must absolutely be paid their wages. In 
this dilemma Don Bosco thought of a per- 
son who had begun a novena a few days 
before, and who had promised an offering 
if her prayers were answered. 

This was a lady whom he had occasion 
to visit in the exercise of his holy ministry. 
She was very seriously ill, having been con- 
fined to her bed for three months with con- 
stant fever, and was completely exhausted 
by a severe cough. 

"Oh! to recover my health a little,*' she 
had said to him, "I am willing to say all 
the prayers suggested to me, and to make 
an offering. I would consider it a great 
blessing if I were only able to leave my bed 
and walk a little about mv room." 



DON BOSCO. 95 

"Will you do what I suggest to you?" 

"Most certainly.'* 

"Then begin at once a novena to Our 
Lady Help of Christians ^ 

"How shall I make it?" 

" For nine days say three times a day an 
Ow Father^ a Hail Mary^ Glory be to the Fa- 
ther^ and Hail Holy Queen J' 

"I will do it; and what work of charity 
shall I add to it?" 

" If you experience any improvement in 
your health, you may, if you wish, make an 
offering to the Church of Our Lady Help of 
Christians, which has been begun at Val- 
doco." 

"Yes, yes, very willingly; if during this 
novena I only obtain strength enough to 
leave my bed and walk a little in my room, 
I will make an offering to the church that 
is being built in honor of the Blessed Vir- 
gin Mary." 

This promise was Don Bosco's sole re- 
source at this time. 

This was just the eighth day of the no- 
vena, and it was not without a certain anxi- 
ety that he went to inquire the result of it. 

The servant who opened the door ex- 
claimed, as soon as she saw him, "Madame 



96 DON BOSCO. 

is cured! She has already been twice to 
the church to return thanks to God." 

Her mistress then came forward, and, 
overcome with joy, said, " I am cured, Fa- 
ther ; I have already been to thank the 
Blessed Virgin. Here is the offering I 
promised; it is the first, but it certainly 
shall not be the last;" and she handed Don 
Bosco a small package. 

When he reached home he opened it and 
found exactly fifty gold Napoleons.* 

The thousand francs^ of which he had 
such need that day, may be said to have 
really fallen from the hands of the Blessed 
Virgin. 

Although Don Bosco carefully avoided 
speaking of this affair, it was: soon noised 
abroad and spread like an electric spark, 
and an extraordinary number of persons at 
once made novenas to Our Lady Help of 
Christians^ promising offerings to her church 
if their prayers were heard. 

It would be difficult to relate the many 
cures which were effected, and the graces of 
all kinds, spiritual and temporal, obtained. 
Turin, Genoa, Bologne, Naples, Milan, Flor- 

* A Napoleon is twenty francs, or $3.87. 



DON BO SCO. 97 

ence, Rome, as well as Palermo, Vienna, 
Paris, London, and Berlin, re-echoed the 
praises of Our Lady Help of Christians, No 
one ever had recourse in vain to her inter- 
cession. 

The offerings came in great numbers, 
meeting every need. When the work was 
being pushed forward with the greatest 
activity the offerings seemed for a time to 
fall off. But suddenly the cholera appeared; 
many hearts were moved, some through 
fear of the scourge, others through grati- 
tude for having escaped it, and the offer- 
ings became more abundant than ever. 
There were those who wished the protection 
of Our Lady ILelp of Chi^istians either in their 
business or for the success of their crops, 
promising to give to the church a tenth of 
the profits of their harvest. They had 
no reason to regret this agreement, for the 
results surpassed all their expectations. 

It is almost incredible that the Church of 
Our Lady Help of Christians was built with- 
out a single collection having been made; 
the funds always came of themselves, and 
just in time. The total expenditure amount- 
ed to a little over a million, and an exact 
account which was kept of all the money 



98 DON BOSCO, 

received, shows that of this immense sum 
eight hundred and fifty thousand francs 
were offerings made by persons in grateful 
acknowledgment of graces and special fa- 
vors obtained. It may be said each stone 
in the edifice represented the goodness and 
power of Mary Help of Christians, 

Long, indeed, would be the list if all the 
grateful offerings made to the church were 
enumerated; such as chalices, ciboriums, 
ostensoriums, lamps, valuable ornaments, 
altars, chandeliers, statues, paintings, etc. 

The new temple, begun in 1865, was com- 
pleted in three years, and was consecrated 
June 9th, 1868. 

The celebration of this event lasted eight 
days, and attracted immense crowds of peo- 
ple. The august Pius IX. was pleased to 
grant a plenary indulgence, applicable to 
the souls in Purgatory, to all who, having 
confessed and received Holy Communion, 
made a visit to the Church of Mary Help of 
Christians during the first eight days after 
its consecration. The crowd was so great 
that it was impossible to enter or leave the 
church during the ceremonies, yet there 
was no confusion nor any accident. 

The celebration was concluded by a re- 



DON BOSCO. 99 

qulem mass offered for the souls of all the 
deceased benefactors. 

We shall not give a detailed description 
of this church, but will merely observe, that 
although it has only been open twelve 
years, the walls are already covered with a 
great number of votive offerings, undenia- 
ble testimonials of graces unceasingly ob- 
tained through devotion to Our Lady Help 
of Christians. 



A CURE. 




ARON COMMANDER COTTA, 

a banker and State Senator of 
Turin, was lying on his death-bed 
when Don Bosco came to see him. 

^' Father,*' said the sick man, in a voice 
so feeble it could scarcely be heard, " this 
is the last time I will ever see you; this is 
the end; I will not last through the day." 

*'Oh no, Commander! you will not go 
like that. The Blessed Virgin still has need 
of you in this world; you are too necessary 
to her in building her church.** 

^* I would very much like to do something 
more, but the doctors say there is no hope.*' 



lOO DON BO SCO, 

" What will you do if Our Lady Help of 
Christians cures you ?" 

"If I get well, I will give to her church 
two thousand francs a month for six 
months." 

^* Very well, I will return to the Oratory 
and have everybody there pray for you. 
Have courage." 

Three days afterwards Don Bosco was 
in his room when a visitor was announced. 
It was Baron Cotta, perfectly cured, who 
had come to make his first offering to Our 
Lady Help of Christians^ and he has since 
made very many others to her church. 




A MEDAL OF OUR LADY HELP OF 
CHRISTIANS. 

i|NE Saturday in the month of 
May, 1869, a young girl, her eyes 
covered with a thick black ban- 
dage, and led by two women, entered 
the Church of Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians at Turin. Her name was Mary Star- 
dero, of the village of Vinovo, and for two 
years she had a severe inflammation of the 
eyes, which resulted in the loss of her sight. 



DON BOSCO, lOI 

She could not walk without a guide, so her 
aunt and a neighbor accompanied her on 
the pilgrimage she desired to undertake. 
Having prayed at the altar of the Blessed 
Virgin, she asked to speak to Don Bosco, 
and the following conversation took place 
in the sacristy: 

^^ How long have your eyes troubled 
you ?" 

^^I have suffered a long time with my 
eyes, but for nearly a year I have not been 
able to see/' 

" Have you consulted the doctors ? What 
do they say ? Have you used remedies ?'* 

** We have, "replied the aunt, *^ used all 
kinds of remedies, but none of them pro- 
duce the slightest effect. The doctors say 
that the eyes are destroyed, and they give 
no hope;" then she began to cry. 

** Can you distinguish large objects from 
small ?" 

"I cannot distinguish anything," she re- 
plied. 

^^ Take off the bandage," said Don Bosco. 
Then, making the young girl face a very 
bright window, he said, ^'Do you see the 
light from this window ?" 



I02 DON BOSCO. 

"Unfortunately for me I see nothing 
whatever.** 

*^ Would you like to see?'* 

" Can you ask ! I wish it more than any- 
thing else in the world. I am a poor young 
girl, and the loss of my sight condemns me 
to a life of misery.** 

" You will use your eyes for the good of 
your soul, and not to offend God ?** 

^' I promise that with all my heart;'* add- 
ing with a sob, " mine is a very hard lot.'* 

" Have confidence in the Blessed Virgin; 
she will help you.'* 

" I hope so; but meanwhile I am blind." 

" You will see." 

"What! shall I see?" 

" For the glory of God and the honor of 
the Blessed Virgin, name the object I hold 
in my hand ?" 

The young girl strained her eyes, and 
staring at the object, she cried out, ''I 
see.** 

"What?" 

"A medal." 

" Of whom !" 

" Of the Blessed Virgin.** 

" And what is on this side of the medal J** 



DON BCSCO. 103 

" On this side, an aged man with a staff 
in blossom in his hand: it is St. Joseph.'* 

" Holy Mother!" exclaimed the aunt, ^^ you 
see, then ?" 

** Yes, I see, thanks be to God ; the Blessed 
Virgin has obtained this favor for me." 

At that moment she put out her hand to 
take the medal, but it fell and rolled into a 
dark corner of the sacristy. 

The aunt bent down to pick it up, but 
Don Bosco held her back. ^* Let her do it; 
we will see if the Blessed Virgin has per- 
fectly restored her sight." 

The young girl immediately found the 
medal without the least difficulty. The 
poor girl was so beside herself with happi- 
ness that she left the church without a word 
of thanks to Don Bosco, or even to God, 
and eagerly ran towards Vinovo, uttering 
wild cries of jo)?^, accompanied by her aunt 
and the neighbor. 

She returned later, however, to give 
thanks to the Blessed Virgin, and did not 
forget to make an offering for her church. 
Since then her eyes have never troubled 
her, and she leads a perfect life. 

A singular fact in connection with this is, 



104 DON BOSCO. 

that the aunt who accompanied her was at 
the same time cured of violent rheumatic 
pains she had had for a long time in her 
shoulder and arm, and which prevented her 
from working in the fields. 



THE INCREDULOUS PHYSICIAN. 




PHYSICIAN highly esteemed in 
his profession, came one day to 
the Oratory of St. Francis de Sales 
and asked to see Don Bosco, whom he thus 
addressed : 

" It is said that you cure all kinds of dis- 
eases/' 

'' I ? Not at all." 

" They have assured me of it, giving the 
names of the persons and the nature of the 
disease/' 

*' Many persons come here to ask graces 
through the intercession of Our Lady Help of 
Christians. If, after a triduum or novena, 
they happen to be cured, I have nothing to 
do with it. This favor is entirely due to 
the Blessed Virgin/' 



DON BOSCO. 105 

" Very well. Let her cure me also, and I 
will believe in these miracles." 

**What is your malady?" 

*^ I have had epileptic fits, and in the last 
year the attacks have become so severe that 
I cannot go out alone for fear of accident. 
Nothing gives me any relief, and in despair 
I have come here, like so many others, to 
seek a cure." 

" Then do as the others do. Kneel down 
and say some prayers with me; prepare your- 
self to purify and strengthen your soul by 
confession and Communion, and the Blessed 
Virgin will console you." 

*^ Order me to do something else, for that 
I cannot do." 

*'And why?" 

** It would be hypocrisy on my part. I 
believe neither in God nor the Blessed 
Virgin, nor in prayers nor miracles." 

Don Boscowas at first amazed; but, aided 
by the Holy Spirit, his words touched the 
doctor's heart, and he knelt and made the 
sign of the cross. 

" I am surprised that I still know how to 
do this, for it is forty years since I have 
done anything of the kind." 



I06 DON BOSCO. 

He said the prayers, and then made his 
confession. Immediately afterward he fel't 
inwardly convinced that he was cured. He 
has never had the slightest return of the at- 
tacks, and he comes often to return thanks 
to Our Lady Help of Christians^ who cured 
his body and his soul. 




THE GOLD BRACELET. 

|N the feast of Mary Help of Chris- 
tians^ the 24th of May, 1878, a 
young officer came to the Oratory 
of St. Francis de Sales at Turin, whose 
countenance expressed suffering, and whose 
voice shook with emotion. 

" Father," said he to Don Bosco, '^ my 
wife was some time ago attacked with a 
severe illness, and it is feared that she will 
die. I cannot be resigned to the thought 
of losing her; I beg of you to obtain from 
God the favor of her cure.'' 

Don Bosco consoled and comforted him; 
then, seeing him well disposed, he took 
advantage of it to make him kneel and say 



DON BOSCO, 107 

with him some prayers for the health of 
his sick wife. The officer had scarcely been 
gone an hour when he was seen returning 
in great haste. 

" I wish to speak to Don Bosco.*' 

"It is impossible just now; he is pre- 
siding at a meeting of the Benefactors of 
the house, who are assembled on the oc- 
casion of this solemn feast, and w^e cannot 
disturb him." 

** Tell him my name, and that it is ab- 
solutely necessary for me to see him a 
moment." 

Thus importuned, Don Bosco came to 
see the officer, whose face now beamed with 
joy. 

'^ Do you know, Father, that while I was 
with you, my wife, whom I left on her 
death-bed, felt her sufferings cease and 
her strength return; she asked for her 
clothing; and oh, what a miracle! — when I 
entered the house she came to meet me, 
saying she was cured." 

Then taking from his pocket a gold 
bracelet he gave it to Don Bosco. 

'' This is a present I gave my wife 
when we were married; we both offer it 



I08 DON BO SCO, 

with all our hearts to Our Lady Help of 
Christians^ in gratitude for such an un- 
hoped-for cure/' 

Don Bosco returned to the meeting of 
Benefactors and showed them the bracelet. 
^^ This/* said he, " is an offering in grati- 
tude for a new cure which has just been 
obtained through the intercession of Mary 
Help of Christia?is, Praise be to her name !'* 




MIRACULOUS CURE OF A SICK 

MAN. 

|N the evening of the i6th of No- 
vember, 1866, while the Church 
of Our Lady Help of Christians 
was being built, Don Bosco had to pay 
the men at work on the cupola four 
thousand francs, and he did not have 
* the first cent of this sum. From early 
morning Don Rua, prefect of the house, 
and several assistants had been out trying 
to collect the amount. Innumerable were 
the streets they traversed and the stairs 
they mounted, and at eleven o'clock they 



DON BOSCO. 109 

returned with a thousand francs, which was 
all they could possibly obtain. 

As they stood silently looking at each 
other in consternation, Don Bosco began 
to laugh, and said, " Very well, I will go 
after dinner and look for the rest." 

At one, he took his hat and went out, 
trusting that something providential would 
occur. After taking several turns at ran- 
dom he came to the Forte-Neuve ; there he 
stopped to decide which way he should 
direct his steps. At that moment he was 
accosted by a servant in livery. 

^' Monsieur I'Abbe, are you not Don 
Bosco !" 

'' Yes; what can I do for you ?'* 

" My master sent me to beg you to come 
to him at once." 

*' Let us go to your master : is it far ?" 

**No: he lives there at the end of the 
street;" and he pointed out a magnificent 
house. 

^* That house belongs to him ?" 

"Yes, and he is immensely wealthy, and 
could easily afford to do something for 
your church." 

On arriving, the Abbe was ushered into 



1 10 DON- BO SCO. 

a beautiful room, where, extended on abed, 
lay a middle-aged man, who expressed 
great joy on seeing Don Bosco. 

'' Reverend Father, I have great need of 
your prayers; you must put me on my feet 
again." 

*^Have you been ill long?" 

" I have not left this bed of suffering for 
three years; I am perfectly helpless; and 
the doctors give me no hope. If I obtain 
the slightest relief, I will willingly make an 
offering for your good works." 

^^This happens most opportunely: we 
have need this very day of three thousand 
francs for the Church of Our Lady Help of 
Christians r 

" Three thousand francs ! You do not 
appreciate what an amount you ask for. 
If it were a few hundred francs, I might 
consider it; ... . but three thousand 
francs !" 

" Is it too much ?" asked Don Bosco; 
^^then let us say no more about it." 

Then, seating himself, he began quietly 
to discuss the politics of the day. 

*^But, Father, that is not the subject in 
question; what about my cure ?" 



DON BO SCO. 1 1 r 

"Your cure! I suggested a means, but 
you could not do it." 

'' But you also asked three thousand 
francs." 

" I do not insist upon it." 

And he began to talk of indifferent 
things. 

"Obtain me a little respite from my 
suffering, and I certainly will not forget 
you at the end of the year." 

"At the end of the year! You do not 
understand, then, that we need the money 
this very day." 

"This very day! You must know that 
I have not three thousand francs in the 
house; it would necessitate sending to the 
bank, and that requires some effort on my 
part." 

"Why not go to the bank ?" 

"You are jesting: that is impossible. I 
have not been able even to leave my bed 
for three years." 

"Nothing is impossible to God, and 
Mary Help of Christians.'' 

Saying this, Don Bosco assembled all the 
members of the household, to the number of 
thirty, and said with them a prayer to the 



112 DON BO SCO, 

Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady Help 
of Christians, Then he ordered the sick 
mane's clothing to be brought. 

" His clothing! but he has none; he has 
not been dressed for three years; we do not 
know where his clothes are." 

" Let some be bought for me at the 
nearest shop," cried the sick man, with im- 
patience; '' do as the Father tells you." 

During this scene the doctor entered and 
wished to prevent what he called an un- 
heard-of piece of folly. 

But when the clothes came, the sick man 
dressed himself, and took long strides 
across the room, to the inexpressible as- 
tonishment of all present. 

He ordered the carriage, and while wait- 
ing regaled himself with a lunch, which he 
ate with an appetite long denied him. 

Then, in the full vigor of health, 'he de- 
scended the stairs unaided, and stepped 
into the carriage. 

A few moments afterward he brought to 
Don Bosco three thousand francs. 

He kept constantly repeating " I am per- 
fectly cured." 

** You brought the money out of the 



DON BO SCO. 113 

bank," said Don Bosco, " and Our Lady 
Help of Christians brought you out of your 
bed." 

This man has continued a faithful bene- 
factor of the work, and he has contributed 
liberally to the building of the Church of 
Our Lady Htlp of Christians. 



CURE OF A GENERAL. 




GENERAL residing at Turin be- 
came seriously ill, and was soon 
reduced to the last extremity. He 
made his confession to Don Bosco, but he, 
to the surprise of all the family, did not 
give the sick man Communion, although 
the physicians said he was in imminent 
danger. 

It was the 22d of May. " General," said 
Don Bosco, " the day after to-morrow we 
shall celebrate the feast of Oicr Lady Help 
of Christians; pray fervently to her, and on 
that day come and receive Holy Commun- 
ion in her church, in thanksgiving for your 
cure." 



1 14 DON BO SCO, 

On the 23d the General grew much 
worse; death seemed very near. The fami- 
ly, not wishing to let him leave this world 
without the strengthening grace of all the 
Sacraments, knew not what to do, for Don 
Bosco had told them he was not to receive 
Extreme Unction in his absence. A mes- 
senger was sent at eight in the evening to 
warn Don Bosco of the sick man's great 
danger, and that it was feared he would not 
last through the night. 

The day before a feast so dear to the 
Salesian family, Don Bosco was in the con- 
fessional from early morning, and when 
they came to look for him he was sur- 
rounded by numbers of children still wait- 
ing to be heard. 

"Come quickly, Father," said the mes- 
senger; "the General is dying, and you will 
scarcely have time to get to him." 

" But do you not see that I am hearing 
confessions; I cannot send these poor little 
things away. I will go as soon as I am 
through." 

And he went on hearing the confessions. 

It was eleven when he finished. 

A carriage awaited him at the door. 



DON BO SCO, 115 

"Make haste, I beg of you, Father." 

" I will, but I have eaten nothing since 
morning and I feel quite exhausted; if I 
do not take my supper before midnight I 
will have to go without food, of which I feel 
great need; for to-morrow I have to be in 
the confessional from five in the morning." 

*^ Do come now. Father; you will have 
some refreshment at the house." 

He entered the carriage, and as soon as 
he reached the house they cried, 

" Hurry, hurry, Father; w^e feared you 
would not be in time to administer the last 
Sacraments; the poor General is very low." 

** O ye of little faith ! Did I not tell you 
that the General would receive Communion 
to-morrow, the feast oi Mary Help of Chris- 
tians 2 It is almost twelve; have the good- 
ness to give me some supper." 

Don Bosco seated himself at table with 
that calmness which he always possessed, 
and when he had finished, he ordered the 
carriage and departed. 

As to the General, he was supposed to 
be dead. He was perfectly motionless, and 
they knew not what to think of it. But Tie 
Avas simply sleeping. 



Il6 DON BO SCO. 

The next morning at an early hour he 
asked his son to have his clothes brought 
to him, for he wanted to go and receive 
Communion from the hands of Don Bosco, 
as he had agreed to do. 

About eight in the morning Don Bosco 
was in the sacristy vesting for Mass, when 
an emaciated figure entered. 

^'Here I am, Father,*' 

*^ Very good, my dear sir; but excuse me 
if I ask to whom I have the honor of speak- 
ing.- 

'' What ! do you not recognize the Gen- 
eral?" 

" Ah ! Praise be to Our Lady Help of 
Christians^ I told you that you would come 
to her sanctuary on her feast-day." 

*^ Father, will you be kind enough to hear 
my confession, for I would like to receive 
Communion at your Mass, as you told me 
to." 

'^ But you went to confession the day be- 
fore yesterday; that is sufficient." 

** I would at least accuse myself of a want 
of faith, of which I now recognize myself 
guilty," 

Don Bosco gave him absolution, and 



DON BO SCO. 117 

Holy Communion, and the General re- 
turned home perfectly cured. 



A CRIPPLE. 




N the feast of Corpus Christi, the 
4th of Jiine, 1874, when the sacrist- 
an was opening the Church of 
Our Lady Help of Chi'istiaiis at Turin, he 
found lying on the ground in front of the 
middle door a man who seemed to be ill. 

When asked what he wanted, he said he 
had come to implore Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians to bless and cure him. He was con- 
ducted, or rather carried, to the sacristy; 
for although he used a strong crutch, he 
was obliged to lean heavily on the man who 
helped him, his limbs were so twisted and 
contracted; besides which, he was nearly 
bent in two. 

The priests were busy in the confession- 
als, or saying their Masses. About eight 
Don Bosco entered the sacristy." 

** What do you wish, my friend?" 

*' I ask Mary Help of Christians in charity 
to bless and cure me." 



Il8 DON BOSCO: 

"What is your disease?'* 

" I am completely disabled with rheuma- 
tism, which has deprived me of the use of 
my limbs; the doctors call it a spinal affec- 
tion/* 

*^ How were you able to get here ?'* 

" Last night some one brought me in a 
carriage and left me at the church door.** 

" How long have you been in this condi- 
tion ?'* 

" For a long time, but for the last two 
months I have lost the use of my hands.'* 

"What do the doctors say?'* 

" That they can do nothing for me. Then 
my relations and friends and the cure of 
my parish advised me to come and im- 
plore the blessing of Our Lady Help of 
Christians who had obtained such wonder- 
ful cures.'* 

" Kneel down.'* 

This he did with great difficulty, aided 
by those present. 

Don Bosco gave him his blessing; then 
said, 

" If you have faith in Mary, open your 
hand." 

"I cannot." 



DON BO SCO. 119 

''Yes, you can; begin by stretching out 
your thumb.'* 

He tried, and succeeded. 

*'Now the first finger." 

He put it out, and all the others in suc- 
cession in the same way. 

Then, overcome with joy, he made the 
sign of the cross, crying out, 

"' The Mother of God has obtained for 
me this grace !'* 

'' If the Mother of God has obtained for 
you this grace, render glory to God by 
standing on your feet." 

He attempted to rise by the aid of his 
crutch, but Don Bosco said, 

*' You ought to rise without a crutch, to 
show your confidence in Mary." 

This he immediately did. The curva- 
ture of the spine as well as the contraction 
of his limbs disappeared, he stood erect, 
and took long strides across the sacristy. 

*'My friend, go now and testify your 
gratitude to the Blessed Virgin by making 
a genuflection before the Blessed Sacra- 
ment." 

This he did with perfect ease. 

" My God ! my God ! and to think how 



I20 DON- BOSCO. 

long I have been deprived of the use of my 
body and limbs. Good Lady Help of Chris- 
tians, pray for me/' 

^^ My friend, promise me that for the fu- 
ture you will have great devotion to the 
Blessed Virgin, and that you will be a good 
Christian/' 

" I promise, and next Sunday I will go to 
confession and Communion/' 

Saying this he took his crutch, and shoul- 
dering it as if it were a musket, he walked 
off deliberately, without saying a word to 
any one. 

It was supposed that he would return at 
least to give thanks to God. 

But this fine fellow had obtained his cure 
through the intercession of Our Lady Help 
of Christians, and considered that his cam- 
paign was over, and never returned. 



DON BO SCO. 121 



CURE OF A SICK WOMAN AND THE 
CONVERSION OF A CITY. 



T. PIERRE D'ARENE is a city in 
Italy where for years Our Lord 
I was little loved. 



One cure was more than sufficient to do 
the duty of the parish, containing thirty 
thousand souls, and the church was almost 
deserted. 

In consequence of this infidelity three 
Masonic lodges were proudly throned in 
their midst, and their pernicious influence 
destroyed all the germs of good in the 
country. 

The wife of a railroad official and the 
mother of five very interesting children fell 
seriously ill. 

The .doctors having pronounced her case 
hopeless, the cure proposed to give her 
the last Sacraments. The sick woman de- 
murred a little, and although she had not 
been heretofore a very practical Catholic, 
declared she would confess to no one but 



122 DON BO SCO. 

Don Bosco, to which her husband, though a 
perfect unbeliever, made no objection. 

The cure availing himself of this conces- 
sion, wrote to Don Bosco, who came at once. 
At that time he contemplated opening a 
house at St. Pierre d'Arene, and he sought 
for some providential means to help along 
the foundation. 

The sick woman seemed much gratified 
when he entered her room. Don Bosco 
consoled her and assured her that Our Lady 
Help of Christians would certainly cure her, 
if she asked it with faith; then he heard 
her confession. " With regard to Commu- 
nion,'* added he, "it is much better to re- 
ceive in church. I will be here for some 
days, and will pray for you and ask my chil- 
dren to do so; besides, I will say Mass for 
your intention. Come some morning to 
Mass and I will give you Communion." 

At these words a murmur of surprise 
and indignation escaped the husband. 

*^ Monsieur T Abbe," said he, " this is no 
time to jest: do you not see that this woman 
is dying, unable even to move from her bed ? 
How can you talk of her going to church ?" 

'' Our Lady Help of Christians has great 



DON BO SCO, 123 

power," replied Don Bosco, unmoved. 
'' Let us pray to her together," and the 
husband knelt with him, to the surprise of 
everybody, and said the Our Father, Hail 
Mary, Glory be to the Father, and the Hail 
Holy Queen. 

" You must not fail to say these prayers 
regularly every day till Christmas." It was 
then the 6th of December. Then putting a 
medal on the sick woman, and having pre- 
vailed on her husband to accept one also, 
Don Bosco departed. 

The woman at once felt a change, the 
pain ceased, the fever left her, and she was 
cured. A few days afterwards the railroad 
official and his wife were at the church at 
a very early hour, when the invalid made 
a fervent thanksgiving, and received Holy 
Communion from the hands of Don Bosco. 

This sudden and unhoped-for cure re- 
sulted in the speedy conversion of the 
husband, who enthusiastically declared that 
the presence of Don Bosco at St. Pierre 
d'Arene had restored to him his wife and 
his peace of heart. 

The influence of this cure extended fur- 
ther still. The city was deeply moved by 



124 DON BOSCO. 

it, and it effected a complete transformation 
in the minds of the people. 

Wonderful conversions resulted from it; 
the church was again filled, and the people 
returned in such numbers that three priests 
came to the assistance of the good cure, 
whose heart overflowed with jo}^ 

Soon another Salesian Institute was 
founded in this city, and a house was given 
to Don Bosco, to which the children flocked 
in great -numbers. A large church has 
since been built and opened to the public, 
at which ten Salesian priests officiate with 
much consolation and great benefit to 
souls. 

It is worthy of notice that the Hospital 
of St. Vincent de Paul of St. Pierre -d'Arene 
and the church are situated in the very 
midst of the Masonic lodges — a flaming 
torch dissipating the darkness of error. 



DON BO SCO. 125 



A VOCATION AND CURE. 

N 1868 a young man living near 
Fenestrelles had just finished his 
year of philosophy. His inclina- 
tion led him to take holy orders; but he 
was an orphan, and his grandfather, who 
was head of the family, decided that his 
grandson should become a merchant. All 
the necessary preliminaries had been ar- 
ranged, and a place w^as secured for him in 
a business house in Lyons. 

The following Saturday was fixed as the 
day for his departure. On Monday two 
friends came to take him to see Don Bosco, 
who had just arrived in the country. These 
two friends were in their second year at the 
seminary, and had heard so much of Don 
Bosco they had a great desire to see him; 
but the other young man did not even know 
his name: he went merely to satisfy his 
friends. As soon as the three young men 
were admitted, Don Bosco, scarcely noticing 
the two seminarians, went directly to the 
young man about to become a merchant, 



126 DON BO SCO. 

looked at him in the most friendly manner, 
then taking his hand, said, " This is a bird 
we must cage." 

The young man was deeply impressed, 
without knowing exactly why. He felt the 
desire to follow his vocation very strongly 
awakened: a desire which, though stifled for 
a time, was never extinct. A short conver- 
sation with Don Bosco ended by confirm- 
ing his unalterable resolution to consecrate 
himself to God, and the grandfather, sud- 
denly changing his mind, made no objec- 
tion and gave his consent. 

At that same time two little sisters, of 
six and eight years, who were almost blind, 
were brought to Don Bosco. One could 
barely see the light; the other had chronic 
inflammation of the eyes, which closed the 
eyelids so firmly, that her father, a strong, 
hardy farmer, with all his strength could 
not open them. 

Don Bosco advised them to make a no- 
vena to Our Lady Help of Christians^ an Our 
Father^ Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, and 
Hail Holy Queen three times a day; and he 
charged a young student to direct the 
mother and children in saying these prayers. 



DON BOSCO. 127 

The two little girls recovered their sight 
the very day the novena finished. One v^as 
completely cured; there remained on one of 
the eyes of the other whose lids had been 
closed a small spot, which, however, did 
not interfere with her sight. 

The young man who had said the novena 
with them was a witness of the instanta- 
neous cure. He became a priest of the 
Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, and is one 
of Don Bosco's favorite sons. He is called 
Don Ronchail, and is now at the head of 
the house of St. Pierre, at Nice, the first 
foundation made by Don Bosco in France. 



HOW COUNT C. ENTERED HOLY 
ORDERS AT THE AGE OF SIXTY- 
THREE. 




OUNT C. was a pious man of the 
world, and a widower. His only 
son being married, he found him- 
self in his declining years perfectly inde- 
pendent, and decided to devote the re- 
mainder of his life to good works. He 



128 DON BOSCO, 

consulted Don Bosco as to the best course 
to pursue. ** Become a Salesian priest" was 
the advice he received. 

This answer surprised him very much: he 
had not the slightest inclination to the life; 
and to begin the studies for the priesthood 
at sixty years of age seemed to him beyond 
his power. 

However, having a great veneration for 
Don Bosco, he took his advice into con- 
sideration, and finally familiarized himself 
somewhat with this novel prospect. 

But nature winced a little at the idea, and 
he saw good reasons for not following this 
counsel. " After all, how do I know that 
Don Bosco is not mistaken. He certainly 
has lights,, but his great desire to recruit 
priests for his Oratory may well mislead 
him on this subject. I do not wish to 
lightly take upon myself so serious an 
obligation. I will consider it.'* On the 
morning of the 26th of May, 1877, he went, 
as he often did, to the Oratory. 

The room adjoining Don Bosco*s little 
reception-room was full of people who had 
been there since early morning, each one 
going in turn to see him. Count C, took 



DON BO SCO. 129 

his place in line, and as he had to wait a 
long time, he entertained himself by watch- 
ing with curious interest his two neigh- 
bors. 

Beside him was a poor mother holding 
on her lap a child of about twelve, evidently 
in terrible pain; great drops of perspiration 
covered her face, and her suffering seemed 
to be increasing so much, that the wearied 
mother started to go home and went to- 
wards the door, supporting her child, who 
walked with great difficulty. 

The assistants observing her, asked why 
she left without seeing Don Bosco. 

"Alas!" she replied, "I cannot wait 
longer, my child is in such pain, and lam 
absolutely obliged to be at home at this 
hour. However, I would not detain Don 
Bosco long: I only want to ask him in charity 
to obtain for my poor child the blessing of 
the Blessed Virgin.*' Then she told that 
her child was paralyzed, added to which 
she had within the last month entirely lost 
her speech. The child only answered the 
questions asked her by a motion of the 
head, being unable to utter a word. 

The people, moved with compassion, with 



130 DON BO SCO. 

one accord yielded the first place to this 
interesting sufferer. 

It was evident to all that without a mir- 
acle this poor child could not be cured, 
at least immediately. A sudden thought 
came to the Count's mind. 

Raising his soul to the Blessed Virgin, 
he begged her to give him by a miracle a 
striking proof of his vocation, and then he 
would no longer hesitate to do what Don 
Bosco advised. 

A few moments after the little girl and 
her mother were admitted to the reception- 
room, and they were there scarcely twelve 
or fifteen minutes when they appeared ac- 
companied by Don Bosco. The mother 
shedding tears of joy, the little girl com- 
pletely transformed, walked without the 
least difficulty, and said aloud, *"' The blessed 
Virgin has just obtained for me this grace.*' 
A perfect cure, for the paralyzed arm was 
as strong as ever and as free in its move- 
ments; her speech had also returned. 

A grace equally singular removed all hes- 
itation on the part of Count C, and he is 
now a priest of the Oratory of St. Francis 
de Sales. 



DON BO SCO. 131 

The little girl who was the recipient of 
such a signal favor consecrated herself later 
to her who had obtained her cure. She be- 
came a member of the Salesian family as a 
daughter of Mary Help of Christians. 



PROVIDENCE IS A GOOD BANKER. 




HAT charming things we might 
relate if we were to tell of the 
thousand and one circumstances 
under which Don Bosco received, in the 
most unexpected and often in the strangest 
way, the exact sums he needed, and fre- 
quently on the day and at the hour they 
were due, as if the most punctual banker 
had charge of his affairs! 

I will give a few instances selected at 
random. The house at Turin owed the 
contractor thirty thousand francs, and he 
began to be very angry at the delay in the 
payment. One morning he came to the 
Oratory in a great rage, prepared to make 
a scene. He went to the prefect and de- 
clared he would not go away until he had 
received the amount due him. The prefect 



132 DON BO SCO, 

assured him that he had not a cent in the 
treasury. 

*'I am not to be put off in that way," re- 
plied the contractor in an angry tone; ^* I 
must speak to Don Bosco." 

He was conducted to a room where a 
great many persons awaited their turn to 
see Don Bosco, and seated himself in a very 
bad humor, grumbling aloud. 

Meanwhile a man of imperious bearing en- 
tered, speaking brusquely and impatiently. 

^* I wish to see Don Bosco at once." 

" Will you be seated and wait a few mo- 
ments? You must take your turn.*' 

'*I have not time to wait." 

And without further formality he went 
and knocked at the door where Don Bosco 
was in conference with some one. 

Don Bosco opened the door : " What do 
you wish, my friend ?" 

" Father, I wish to speak to you." 

" You must take your turn, please; I can- 
not receive you before all these people who 
have been here so long." 

" I am in a hurry, and what I have to say 
to you will not take long." 

In the face of such persistence Don Bosco 



DON BO SCO. 133 

asked the others if he might be allowed to 
see this person ; who, without waiting an 
answer, walked directly into the room. 

His brusque, rather harsh tone did not 
reassure Don Bosco, who said, *^ Be seated, 
I pray you." 

" I do not wish to sit down." 

"Then tell me what brought you here." 

"It is not of much account; it will only 
take a minute. Here; will you take this?" 
and he laid a little package on the table and 
left the room, saying, " Good-by, Father; 
pray for me." 

The Countess V. then entered: "Nothing 
has happened to you. Father? That man 
really frightened me; he acted so singularly 
I was afraid that he would do you some 
harm." 

" No great harm," said Don Bosco, smil- 
ing. " Here is what he came to bring me;" 
and unfolding the little package he found 
it contained thirty thousand francs. 

When the contractor came in his turn 
Don Bosco gave him the thirty thousand 
francs due him. 

The man, rather confused at having in- 
sisted so much, made many excuses. 



134 ^ON BO SCO, 

^' Father, I was told you had not where- 
with to pay me; they were evidently mis- 
taken." 



At one time the Oratory owed three 
hundred and twenty-five francs for taxes ; 
the time allowed for the payment expired 
on that very day at noon, and if the small 
sum was not deposited the collector would 
be obliged to commence proceedings — that 
is, to prosecute them. 

Don Rua went to the treasurer; he 
searched the cash-box, but there was not a 
cent to be found in the house. He went to 
Don Bosco's room, explained the state of 
affairs, and asked if he had that amount. 

"I have absolutely nothing," replied Don 
Bosco; "let us pray to Oz^r Lady Help of 
Christians ;' and he went quietly on with his 
work. 

A few minutes afterwards there was a 
knock, and a gentleman asked to see Don 
Bosco. He was admitted, and after a short 
conversation said, " Father, I am not rich, 
but I have here a very small sum which I 
saved up for your children. Will you accept 
this modest offering?" 



DON BO SCO. 135 

" Most willingly/* replied Don Bosco. 

The gentleman handed him a small paper, 
which contained exactly three hundred and 
twenty-five francs. Don Bosco smiled, and 
said, ^' Will you oblige me by giving this 
to Don Rua as you go out ?" 

Don Rua, looking at the money, said, 
"The Father has counted closely; this is 
just the sum we need;'* and he quickly de- 
spatched a messenger with it to the Tax 
Office. 

It was then past noon and the warrant 
had already been sent out, but the messen- 
ger had by chance been delayed, and it 
was recalled without any trouble. 

He who acted as the agent of Divine 
Providence on this occasion afterwards be- 
came a Salesian priest. 



In March, 1880, Don Bosco went to spend 
a week in Nice. On this occasion Mr. 
Ernest Harmel regaled all the children of 
the house of St. Pierre with a good dinner, 
to which several members of the Salesian 
family were invited. 

A short time before dinner, Mr. Michel, a 
lawyer well known for his zeal in all good 



13^ DON BO SCO, 

works, was talking with Don Bosco, who in 
the course of the conversation said to him, 
** Our chapel is too small, and very incon- 
venient; we must absolutely have a better 
dwelling for Our Lord. Here is a plan 
which our excellent, worthy architect Mr. 
Levrot has just handed me; the estimate 
for the building is thirty thousand francs/* 

"Thirty thousand francs! I doubt, Fa- 
ther, if you could find that amount at this 
moment in Nice. We have had so many 
charitable appeals this winter, so many lot- 
teries, and so many collections of all kinds, 
the treasury is almost exhausted/' 

" Nevertheless I must have that amount 
this very day." 

Meanwhile twelve o'clock struck and they 
all went to table. At dessert, the notary of 
the house, Mr. Sajetto, rose and said, 

" Father, I wish to tell you that a chari- 
table person has sent me, for you, thirty 
thousand francs. You will find it in my 
study when you want it.'* 

"Praised be Our Lady Help of Christians y* 
said Don Bosco, joining his hands and rais- 
ing his eyes to heaven; "this is the begin- 
ning." 



VON BO SCO. 137 

As to the lawyer, he was perfectly as- 
tounded at Don Bosco's receiving the exact 
sum that he had asked for a few moments 
before. 



Don Bosco himself, at a recent conference 
held at Lyons, told how one day he had to 
pay at five o'clock fifteen thousand francs 
to a contractor for work done on the Church 
of the Sacred Heart at Rome. 

At half-past four he still had nothing, 
when an ecclesiastic came in unexpectedly, 
bringing the exact sum. He was not to 
have come that day, but in consequence of 
some misunderstanding he took the train, 
he knew not why, and started on the jour- 
ney almost against his will. 

O Blessed Provideace! this is one of thy 
merciful interventions. 

The supernatural is denied; but it is 
everywhere, in us, around us; we are en- 
veloped in it; but alas! our eyes are so fixed 
on earthly things they see not the light. 




138 DON BO SCO. 



AN OPPORTUNE CLAP OF 
THUNDER. 

IHERE came a time when the Ora- 
tory of St. Francis de Sales, estab- 
lished in the basement of Pinardi's 
building, could not accommodate the num- 
bers of children who crowded there on 
Sundays and feast-days. Don Bosco felt 
the necessity of opening a second Oratory, 
which was afterwards the Oratory of St. 
Louis. 

After searching for a long time, he finally 
found a place which seemed to him suitable, 
and he sought the owner, a Madame Vagli- 
enti, to ask if she would rent it to him. 

The woman agreed, but the rent she asked 
was entirely beyond the poor priest's means. 
He reasoned with her, tried to interest her 
in the work; but to no avail: the obstinate 
owner was inflexible in her demands. 

During this discussion the sky became 
overcast, and suddenly a frightful clap of 
thunder shook the house and extinguished 
the lamp in the room. 



DON BO SCO. 139 

The woman, crazed with fear, immediate- 
ly changed her tone: ^*Good Father, obtain 
for me that I may escape being struck by 
lightning, and I will do all you ask of me." 

" Thank you,'* replied Don Bosco. " I 
will pray God to protect you now and for- 
ever/' 

The thunder ceased, the sky cleared al- 
most immediately, to the delight of the 
woman, who made no further objection to 
the price Don Bosco offered her. 



A CHARITABLE SPIRIT. 




HILE at Nice, in March, 1880, Don 
Bosco called a meeting of the Co- 
operators, which was held in the 
modest room then used as a chapel at the 
Patronage of St. Pierre. 

Notwithstanding the narrow limits of the 
place, the meeting was a large and distin- 
guished assemblage, and the good Father 
having given a very interesting account of 
his work and of the results obtained there- 
from, deigned to make a collection himself 
for his children. 



140 DON BO SCO, 

A gentleman put a gold piece on the 
plate. "God will return it to you," said 
Don Bosco in a loud voice. *^ Oh! if that 
is the case," said the gentleman, adding 
another gold piece, "let Him return me a 
little more." 



A BARGAIN. 




I HE Marquis de X. said one day to 
Don Bosco, " Father, I would like 
to give something to your w^ork, 
3ut it is impossible for me to do so just 
now, for a debt of twenty thousand francs, 
upon which I counted, is, I have just heard, 
irrevocably lost." 

" Those who have given you the informa- 
tion may be mistaken ?" 

"No, my men of business are very skil- 
ful, and they write me there is not the 
slightest hope of recovering it." 

" And if you should recover this sum 
what would you do ?" 

"Oh! I promise to give you half of what 
I receive, my good Father; but I do not 
think it possible to recover any of it." 



DON BOSCO. 141 

*'Who knows! it is for the children; I 
will have them pray for it." 

A few days after the Marquis* attorney 
sent him five thousand francs, recovered, 
he said, in the most unexpected manner, 
and later five thousand francs more, then 
finally the entire sum. 

The Marquis faithfully remitted to Don 
Bosco the ten thousand francs he promised 
him. 



HOW ALMIGHTY GOD PUNISHED 
THE INGRATITUDE SHOWN TO 
DON BOSCO AND THOSE WHO 
TRIED TO THWART HIM. 




E have seen how Don Bosco, having 
to give up the Refuge Chapel, 
obtained from the municipality 
the use of St. Martin's Church, called of 
the Mills. 

The only playground the children had 
here was a public square in front of the 
church, and their noise so annoyed the 
neighbors they complained to the city au- 



14^ DON BO SCO. 

thorities, who ordered Don Bosco to go 
elsewhere. 

The person chiefly instrumental in Don 
Bosco's removal was a secretary of the 
owners of the mills. He libelled these poor 
children in a paper, in which he heaped up 
many false statements and ridiculed facts 
in the most indelicate manner. 

These, however, were the last lines he 
ever wrote: his right hand was struck with 
palsy, he became weak and languid, and 
died after three years of suffering. 



After leaving St. Martin's the Oratory 
was moved to St, Pierre-es-Liens^ a large, 
convenient place. 

We have already spoken of the unfor- 
tunate Rector, who had retired to the pres- 
bytery adjoining the church, and wtio had 
the children immediately sent away because 
they disturbed his rest. 

This poor old man only did this at the 
instigation of his servant, a violent, cross- 
grained creature, whom the invasion of 
what she considered her domain threw into 
a perfect rage. She went so far as to abuse 
Don Bosco in the middle of a sermon he 



DON BOSCO. 143 

was giving to his children, shaking her fist 
at him, and uttering the most injurious re- 
proaches. Then she urged her master so, 
and flew into such a rage at " this band of 
good-for-nothings," that he wrote to com- 
plain of them. 

This unfortunate letter had scarcely been 
sent off when the old priest was struck with 
apoplexy ; and two days afterwards his ser- 
vant followed him to the grave. 

The Marquis de Cavour, Chief of the 
Municipal Police of Turin, twice tried to 
have the Oratory closed. Scarcely had he 
made the second attempt when he was 
taken with an unusually violent attack of 
gout. He never left his bed again, and 
died a short time afterwards. 



The Marquis and Marchioness of X., of 
Turin, had been married ten years, but hav- 
ing no children, a great family was thus 
threatened with extinction. They regretted 
this extremely, and finally implored Don 
Bosco to obtain for them the blessing they 
so much desired. 

Don Bosco had all his Oratory pray, and 
he prayed himself, making a special novena, 



144 ^ON BOSCO, 

which was heard, and the Marchioness be- 
came the mother of a beautiful boy. 

His birth was the occasion of great feasts 
and all sorts of rejoicing, but the poor 
children of Valdoco were completely for- 
gotten. 

A few years passed, and Don Bosco 
thought no more of this ingratitude. How- 
ever, one day, being greatly pressed for 
funds, and not knowing where to procure 
daily bread for his numerous family, he 
presented himself at the house of the Mar- 
chioness. 

But he was not admitted. 

He made a second attempt, was received, 
and told the object of his visit. 

*^ Monsieur TAbbe, I regret sincerely that 
it is not in my power to come to your assist- 
ance just now. This is a hard year, and I 
have very many demands ; but I will avail 
myself of the first opportunity of being of 
use to you. I am very much engaged to- 
day, but I will come to see you before 
long." 

The promised visit was made a short time 
afterwards, but this time it was to implore 
Don Bosco's help. He was in his room 



DON BOSCO, 145 

when the door suddenly opened, and the 
Marquis and his wife entered, in tears. 
*^ Father, good Father, do come to our aid ! 
Our child is dying of croup; come and save 
him.'* 

Don Bosco was preparing to go with 
them when a servant appeared, saying the 
child had just breathed his last. 



WHAT CAME OF AN ATTEMPT TO 
PUT DON BOSCO IN AN INSANE 
ASYLUM. 

jCT^^^ON BOSCO was at one time sup- 
r^Wj posed to be deranged. He 
IHt^'S^I planned the building of an Ora- 
tory, capable of accommodating an immense 
number of children, with workshops of all 
kinds, study-rooms, large courts, a chapel, 
etc. 

Such an undertaking would require large 
sums of money, and it was known that he 
had no resources. Evidently such a project 
could only come from the illusions of a dis- 
ordered brain. 



146 DON BOSCO, 

Some of his friends deserted him ; others 
were of opinion that he ought to be placed 
under a doctor*s care, and it seemed to 
them most advisable that he should be 
placed for a short time in an insane re- 
treat. He might compromise the clergy, or 
at least expose himself to ridicule ; then 
hesitation was no longer possible. 

The director of the Retreat was fore- 
warned, and was told to be very gentle, but 
if necessary, very firm with the poor invalid. 

It only remained to bring him to the 
Retreat, and this is the way it was accom- 
plished : 

Two ecclesiastics procured a closed car- 
riage and sought Don Bosco in his little 
room, where they found him. 

They talked with him for a while, and 
did not find it difficult to draw him out on 
the subject in which he was most particu- 
larly interested. 

** Monsieur TAbbe, you would like to 
build an Oratory ?" 

Don Bosco had no objection to speak to 
them of his projects, and of the good which 
he hoped would be realized. 

In a few minutes the two ecclesiastics ex- 



DON BO SCO. 147 

changed significant glances, which plainly- 
said, ** There is no longer any doubt of it : 
he is really crazy." 

^' Monsieur I'Abbe, we have below a nice 
carriage ; will you take a drive with us ?" 

Don Bosco appeared not to have the least 
suspicion of their intention, and w^hen they 
repeated their invitation he finally accepted. 
The carriage was at the door. 
*^ Enter, Monsieur I'Abbe.'* 
** Not at all ; after you, gentlemen.*' 
** We beg you will enter first ?" 
**I will do nothing of the kind. I know 
too well the respect I owe you ; after you." 
Tired of this formality, the two ecclesias- 
tics entered the carriage, but, instead of fol- 
lowing them, Don Bosco quickly slammed 
the door, and called out to the driver in a 
stentorian voice, " To the Retreat." 

The coachman had had his instructions, 
and with a vigorous crack of his whip 
started his horses and never drew rein till 
he was within the court of the Retreat, the 
gate of which stood wide open but closed 
immediately after them, and the director 
appeared, followed by two nurses. 

The two ecclesiastics stepped out, chok- 



148 ^ DON BOSCO. 

ing with anger, and furiously berated the 
driver for his stupidity. 

^' There, there, calm yourself,'* said the 
director ; " I was told there was only one 
coming, but we have room for two. You 
will be very comfortable here.*' 

" Insolent fellow. For whom do you take 
us ? You do not know to whom you are 
speaking. We are persons of position, and 
we will have you punished for this.'* 

^* Bless me ! they are violent," replied the 
director. "• Here, take them to their cells, 
and, if they do not behave, give them the 
shower-bath and the strait-jacket/' 

The unfortunate ecclesiastics were ap- 
palled, but fortunately thought of appeal- 
ing to the chaplain, who identified them, 
and they were set at liberty. But they had 
a narrow escape and went off in great 
haste, declaring they would not be caught 
in that way again. 

The laugh was not on their side, and it 
was well established that if Don Bosco is 
tainted with the folly of the Cross, he 
nevertheless possesses a certain amount of 
innocent mischief, which served on more 
than one occasion to protect him from the 
snares of his enemies. 




DON BO SCO, 149 



THE COLONEL. 

j|ON BOSCO, when at Rome, was one 
day crossing the Corso accompa- 
nied by his secretary, when a Col- 
onel in uniform met him. 

** Monsieur TAbbe, are you not Don 
Bosco/' 

" Why do you ask ?" 

" I want to know if you are not Don 
Bosco." 

^' But why do you wish to know ?" 

" Really, Monsieur I'Abbe, are you or 
are you not Don Bosco ?" 

" I am the person you are asking for.'* 
Don Bosco said this in rather a brusque 
tone, not being perfectly satisfied of the 
motive of these questions. 

But scarcely had he said his name when 
the Colonel threw himself at his feet in the 
middle of the street, and taking his hand 
kissed it, saying, '' O my good Father!" 

*' What is the meaning of this. Colonel ?'* 

" Is it possible, good Father, you do not 
recognize the little orphan you picked up 



ISO DON BO SCO. 

in the streets in , when at the death of 

his parents he was left destitute, not know- 
ing what was to become of him? For six 
years you sheltered him and were to him 
father and mother, and you do not wish 
him now to express to you his gratitude!" 

" What ! is it you, you little rascal ?'* said 
Don Bosco, smiling, and giving him a tap 
on the cheek. ^' It seems to me you have 
made your way very well in the world." 

^^Yes, when I left the Patronage I en- 
listed. Thanks to the education which I 
received from you, I soon became an ofHcer, 
and I am now a Colonel." 

He would not leave Don Bosco until he 
had made him promise to dine with him 
the next day. 

He presented him, when he came, to his 
wife and three beautiful children. It was 
a very happy home, and Don Bosco re- 
turned thanks to Our Lady Help of Chris- 
tians for the marked protection she had 
granted to one of his orphans. 



DON BO SCO. 151 




HOW DON BOSCO MANAGED TO 
TAKE THE YOUNG CULPRITS IN 
THE PRISON OF TURIN OUT 
FOR A HOLIDAY. 

ilON BOSCO'S numerous duties at 
the Oratory did not make him 
forget other works of charity, 
particularly his visits to the prisons. 

He devoted himself in a special manner 
to the great numbers of young men and 
children whom he found there, and with a 
success that afforded his priestly heart 
much consolation. 

A retreat he preached in the prison was 
followed by an almost general Communion. 

Delighted with the good dispositions 
manifested by the children, he resolved to 
procure for them as a mark of his approba- 
tion some special favor, and he at once de- 
cided to ask permission to take them out 
on a picnic. 

The deprivation of liberty and exercise is 
the hardest and most insupportable punish- 



152 DON BO SCO. 

ment to youth. A good run across tields, 
a whole day spent in the open air, cannot 
fail to give great pleasure. 

Don Bosco went to the superintendent 
of the prison, and with great simplicity laid 
before him his request, as if it were the 
most natural thing in the world. 

He asked to be allowed to take the chil- 
dren on an excursion; they were to go in 
the morning and return in the evening, 
and he would take the best possible care 
of them all. 

The superintendent started with surprise 
at this eccentric proposition. "But, Mon- 
sieur TAbbe, do you think the king's sol- 
diers have nothing better to do than to 
walk after these little vagabonds ? And 
moreover, I am responsible for every 
escape.'* 

" Who said anything about s'oldiers ? I 
will take all the responsibility: not one will 
escape; and I promise to faithfully bring 
back to you every one of the children you 
will intrust to my care." 

How was it that this extraordinary re- 
quest was ever granted ? It had to be sub- 
mitted to the Minister Ratizzi, but Don 



DON BO SCO. 153 

Bosco seemed to have the power of remov- 
ing all obstacles. 

On the appointed day, after Mass, three 
hundred and fifty children and youths left 
the prison in perfect order, led by Don 
Bosco, calm and smiling. 

The royal castle of Stupinigi had been 
selected as their place for pleasuring. Five 
leagues there and back v^as not too much 
to stretch their young legs after such long 
inaction. 

It v^ould be impossible to describe the joy 
depicted on every countenance. Moreover, 
there was not the least disorder, nor fruit 
stolen, nor a single depredation committed. 
Their greatest concern was to tenderly 
care for their good Father: when they 
noticed that he was tired walking, in the 
tw^inkling of an eye they shouldered the 
provisions which had been carried by the 
donkey that Don Bosco's thoughtfulness 
had provided, and they made him mount 
the animal, which two of the children care- 
fully led by the bridle. 

In the evening the superintendent proved 
by calling the roll that all the children had 
returned to the prison; not one was missing. 




154 DON BO SCO, 



THE SEMINARIAN FRANCIS. 

N 1862 a seminarian became very 
ill with pleurisy, and one morning, 
supposing him to be in danger, 
the Sacraments were administered. 

Don Bosco after his Mass came to see 
him. " Well, Francis, are you sorry to leave 
this poor world ? Do you wish to go, or 
would you like to remain longer with us ?'* 

*' I really do not know. Father,*' replied 
Francis; ^^give me till this evening to con- 
sider. Soon after he said to himself, ** I 
was very foolish not to have said that I 
wished to go to heaven, for Don Bosco 
would have promised it to me, and I would 
thus have secured my salvation.*' 

Don Bosco returned in the evening. 
** Father,*' said the seminarian eagerly, ^' I 
have decided: I prefer to die, if you will 
promise me that I will go to heaven." 

^*It is too late, my poor Francis," replied 
Don Bosco. *^ You will recover, and you 
will live for some time, but be prepared to 
suffer a great deal." 



DON BO SCO. 155 

He did in fact recover, but was afflicted 
with sores on his legs, and had to endure 
great suffering. 

He however became a priest, and did 
good service, but the sores on his legs 
never healed, and he suffered till his death^ 
which happened twelve years afterward, in 
1874. 




A SICK FRIEND. 

jjON RUA, the incomparable prefect 
of the Oratory of Turin, was a 
pupil of Don Bosco, and had been 
with him since he was nine years of age. It 
would be difficult to express the love and 
veneration the pupil had for his master, 
and how tenderly the master loved his 
pupil. 

In 1868 Don Rua was taken seriously ill. 
He was exhausted by excessive fatigue 
caused by his incessant work night and 
day in the management of the household 
affairs, for he only allowed himself four 
hours* sleep. Hence he was soon stricken 



156 DON BO SCO. 

down with sickness, and the doctors de- 
clared that his life was in great danger. 

He asked for and received the last Sac- 
raments; but imagine his grief when he 
learned that Don Bosco was away. Was 
he to leave this world without seeing him 
again? 

Everybody at the Oratory was very 
anxious, and great was the relief when 
Don Bosco, who had been longed for so 
earnestly, returned. " Hurry, hurry, Father? 
come to Don Rua: he is very ill, and may 
pass away at any moment," were the first 
words that greeted him. 

*^Oh!" replied Don Bosco, unmoved, "I 
know Don Rua; he is not a man to go away 
without my permission." And instead of 
going to the sick man's room, he went to 
the chapel and began calmly to hear con- 
fessions; then in the evening he took his 
supper, and returned to his room. 

The next morning after his Mass he went 
to see Don Rua, who had passed a very 
comfortable night and was convalescent. 




DON BO SCO, 157 



A CONFESSION. 

YOUNG boy of Turin wishing to 
go to confession went one Sunday 
morning to one of the city parishes 
and made his confession to a priest whose 
confessional was so surrounded that it 
could scarcely be seen. In the afternoon 
one of his companions took him to the 
Oratory of St. Francis de Sales, where he 
had never been before, and he immediately 
joined the other children at play in the 
court. 

When Don Bosco came he noticed the 
boy, and patting him caressingly on the 
head, said, "Come here a minute, little 
one, and I will hear your confession;" and 
taking him aside he seated himself, and 
putting his arm around the boy's neck 
began to enumerate all the faults the child 
had committed. 

The poor boy, aghast, stood up, and open- 
ing his eyes wide said, "But how do you 
know all this ? you must be the priest to 
whom I went to confession this morning.'* 



158 DON BO SCO, 

" Not at all, my child; do you not see I 
can read this in your eyes?" he said, giving 
him a friendly tap on the cheek. 

It was well known that Don Bosco had 
not been out all that day, consequently 
could not have been in the church where 
the child went to confession. 



A DREAM. 



|NE night a young ecclesiastic, who 
occupied a room near Don Bosco's, 
noticed that he was very restless 
in his sleep and that he talked aloud for 
some time. 

The next morning he remarked, " Father, 
you did not sleep well last night V 

" Yes, I had rather a singular dream. I 
was in a country where they did not speak 
Italian, and I saw a house out in the coun- 
try where children were running about, 
others were busy at farm labor, and there 
were Salesian priests among them." 

That very day — it was in 1876 — Don 
Bosco received a letter from Mgr. Terris, 



DON BO SCO. 159 

Bishop of Frejus and Toulon, offering him 
a commodious property in Var, near Crau 
d'Hyeres, for the establishment of an agri- 
cultural Patronage. 

At this time Don Bcsco had but one 
house in France, that of Nice, and he had 
as yet no agricultural patronage. He did 
not accept this offer at once; several diffi- 
culties arose, and the negotiations lasted 
for nearly two years. Finally, the founda- 
tion was decided upon and carried out. 
It was intrusted to a Salesian priest. Fa- 
ther Perrot, who installed himself in the 
property called Navarre on the 5th of July, 
1878, and immediately collected as many 
children as the buildings could accommo- 
date. 

In the latter part of January, 1879, Don 
Bosco made a voyage to Marseilles in the 
interest of a new foundation, and took oc- 
casion on this journey to visit his Patron- 
age at Var, which he had not yet seen. 
He slept at Hyeres, and the next morning 
was brought to Navarre. 

The property is situated about twelve 
miles from Hyeres. It is a very isolated 
place, but is not devoid of beauty; hills 



l60 DON Boscor 

covered with pines and venerable oaks 
surround the house. In front were vines 
and wide-spreading lands. But the land 
at that time was almost entirely unculti- 
vated, and the buildings, formerly farm- 
houses, were in a very dilapidated condi- 
tion. 

The children, headed by Father Perrot, 
came to meet Don Bosco, and escorted 
him to the house singing. 

They first went to the little chapel, then 
to visit the buildings. 

When they came to the farm Don Bosco 
surveyed it attentively. *^This is the very 
place I saw in my dream: I recognize it 
perfectly; there is no doubt about it." 

Father Perrot knew of the dream, and he 
also remarked the similarity of the details. 

It was certainly the place, and Don 
Bosco declared that he recognized the 
voice of the child, who sang a motet, as the 
one he had heard in his dream. 

Assuredly Divine Providence destined 
this place as an asylum for our children. 
Praise be to Our Lady Help of Christians. 



DON BO SCO. l6l 



PIETY OF DON BOSCO^S CHILDREN. 




HEN Don Bosco was asked to ob- 
tain a grace for any one, he gen- 
erally said, " I will have my 
children pray for it." Nor was this a vain 
promise. The prayer of the many as- 
sembled together had marvellous effect, 
and its power was certainly increased by 
the great piety of rhany of the children. 

For among nearly nine hundred children 
and youths who were boarders at the Ora- 
tory of St. Francis de Sales at Turin there 
were perhaps a hundred each of whom was 
a real St. Aloysius; and four or ^v^ hundred 
would make perfect religious. In some of 
these children the interior life was singu- 
larly and strikingly developed, and there 
were those among them who manifested a 
supernatural knowledge and foresight. For 
instance, after Mass one day a child came 
to Don Bosco and said, 

'* Father, you are thinking of doing such 
a thing: you are right; it will succeed ?" 



l62 DON BOSCO, 

" Indeed, little one ! how do you know 
that ? who told it to you ?" • 

The child was confused, stammered, and 
when urged to tell, was silent, and finally 
even forgot what he was going to say. 

Don Bosco has written and published 
the life of one of his children, Savio Do- 
menico, a pupil of the Oratory of St. 
Francis de Sales, who was born in 1842 
and died in 1857. This child was a per- 
fect model of purity and sanctity. Many 
graces are said to have been obtained by 
his prayers during his life. 

When he died he became a subject of 
veneration to his companions. They in- 
voked his aid and precious graces, and 
remarkable cures were obtained through 
his intercession. 

There were other children also who 
were favored with supernatural gifts: one 
of them, Michael Fassio, predicted, a year 
before it happened, the gunpowder ex- 
plosion which in 1852 came near destroy- 
ing the Oratory. He was a locksmith's 
apprentice and remarkably pious. In 185 1 
he had a serious attack of illness, which re- 
sulted fatally. He received the last Sacra- 



DON BO SCO, 163 

merits, and one day, as if under heavenly 
inspiration, he cried out, " Woe to Turin ! 
woe to Turin !'* 

" With what are we threatened,** asked 
one of his companions. 

"An earthquake." 

"When?" 

" Next year. Woe to Turin on the 26th 
of April ?" 

" What ought we to do?" asked the terri- 
fied children. 

" Pray to St. Louis to protect the Ora- 
tory and all its inmates." 

A few days afterward he rendered his 
soul to God. 

On the very day indicated, the 26th of 
April, 1852, the earth was shaken by the ter- 
rible explosion in the powder-mill situated 
near the Oratory. This catastrophe cost 
the lives of thirty workmen, and might 
have completely destroyed not only the 
Oratory, but also a great part of the city 
of Turin, had it not been for the heroism 
of Sergeant Paul Sacchi. This brave man, 
although wounded, managed to have eight 
hundred barrels of powder removed from 
one of the magazines. The children, deeply 



164 DON BO SCO. 

impressed by Fassio's prediction, followed 
his advice, and added to their night prayers 
an Our Father a?id Hail Mary in honor of 
St. Louis de Gonzaga, with the invocation 
^ Ab 07nni malo libera ?ios, D online (^' From all 
evil deliver us, O Lord"). This practice is 
still observed in the Salesian houses. 




THE ATTEMPTS TO KILL DON 
BOSCO. 

HE emancipation of the Jews and 
of the Waldenses by order of 
Charles Albert in the beginning 
of 1848 created intense excitement among 
the different sects. Under political pretexts 
they aroused the lower classes by spread- 
ing false and perfidious accusations against 
the Catholic clergy, and consequently it was 
not safe for a minister of God at that time 
to go through certain of the most peaceful 
parts of Turin. 

Besides this, Don Bosco had aroused 
much hatred by establishing his Oratory 
at Valdoco. This quarter, haunted by the 



DON BOSCO, 165 

worst classes, was the natural resort of peo- 
ple of questionable avocations, and much 
disturbed by them. Here assembled gam- 
blers, drunkards, and all kinds of evil-doers, 
as well as strolling musicians, showmen, and 
every species of vagabond, men ready in 
the use of the knife, who recoiled at nothing 
to prevent the invasion of what they con- 
sidered their domain. 

This state of things explains in a measure 
why they were so furious against the poor 
priest. One day when he was in the chapel 
surrounded by his children, to whom he 
was teaching the Catechism, a shot was fired 
at him through an open window. The ball 
passed between his arm and his chest, tear- 
ing his soutane, and flattened itself ag-ainst 
the wall. 

The terrified children rose in tumult, but 
Don Bosco, impassible and smiling, said, 
*^ If the Blessed Virgin had not made him 
miss his aim, he would certainly have hit 
me, but he did not reach me." 

Then looking at his torn soutane : " O 
poor soutane,'' he said, *^ I am very sorry for 
what has happened to you, for you are the 
only one I possess." 



1 66 DON BO SCO. 

On another occasion, when in the midst 
of his children, an insane man rushed at 
him with a large knife, and it was only by 
a miracle that he escaped to his room. 

One evening the door-bell rang at the 
Oratory, and some one begged Don Bosco to 
come as quickly as possible to administer 
the Sacraments to a woman in the neigh- 
borhood who was dying. 

It was a very dark night, and as the Father 
had recently escaped being killed, there 
were objections made to his going out; but 
Don Bosco having declared his determina- 
tion to goto the sick woman, remonstrance 
was vain, but four students accompanied 
him to protect him in case of need. 

The little group came to a rather isolated 
house and two of the young men remained 
outside, while the other two went up with 
Don Bosco to the door of the room which 
he entered alone. 

As soon as he came in four stalwart fel- 
lows rose and wished him good-day in a 
tone which they tried to make very gracious. 
But Don Bosco observed their repulsive ap- 
pearance, and that they were all armed with 
clubs, the size of which was not reassuring. 



DON BO SCO. 167 

He approached the bed of the supposed 
sick woman. She looked very well, and 
had a singularly bright color for one who 
was dying. 

" Well, my good woman, do you want to 
make your confession ?'* 

" Certainly I do," she replied in a far 
from -feeble voice, " but first that old do- 
tard, that rascal there, my brother-in-law, 
must beg my pardon;'' and she began to 
pour forth a torrent of abuse. 

^* Will you hold your tongue, you miser- 
able wretch," shouted one of the men, who 
with a backward motion of his hand threw 
the only candle on the floor and extinguished 
it, thus leaving the room in perfect dark- 
ness. At the same time Don Bosco received 
a blow from a club which would have felled 
him had it not glanced off his shoulder. 

With his usual presence of mind he seized 
a chair and raised it over his head; the 
blows fell like hail on this improvised hel- 
met, which protected his head. He was thus 
able to reach the door, and putting his hand 
on the latch he threw the chair at his as- 
sailants, and opening the door joined the 
two young men who awaited him outside. 



1 68 DON BCSCO. 

All this was done so quickl}^ that for a 
moment they were motionless with aston- 
ishment. 

When they gained the street the young 
men were terrified to see Don Bosco covered 
with blood. But fortunately the wound he 
received was not a serious one; while he 
was protecting his head with the chair, a 
blow from a club cut his left thumb to the 
bone. 

Don Bosco had quite recently another 
narrow escape. In December, 1881, he was 
in his room at the Oratory of Turin when a 
well-dressed gentleman who had asked for 
him was shown in. The visitor began to 
talk of various things, and gradually grew 
excited and gesticulated violently. Don 
Bosco, who watched him attentively, noticed 
that a six-barrelled revolver had noiselessly 
slipped from his pocket on to the sofa where 
they both sat. 

Without betraying the least fear Don 
Bosco adroitly got possession of the re- 
volver and hid it under his soutane. 

The stranger soon began to feel his 
pockets, as if searching for something, and 
to look around the floor. 



DON BO SCO. 169 

" What is the matter, my dear sir ? have 
you lost something ?'* 

'* Yes, I do not know where I could have 
put—" 

'' What r 

^^ Nothing, nothing/' 

He searched again, looked under the sofa, 
and even went into the next room, where 
Don Bosco's secretary was. 

"You have found nothing?" 

" No, nothing whatever/* 

He came back to Don Bosco, who, per- 
fectly unmoved all the time, and looking 
him in the eyes, drew out the revolver, and 
pointing it at the breast of the intruder, 
said, 

" This is what you are looking for, is it 
not?" 

The man, much confused, tried to get 
possession of the revolver, but Don Bosco 
prevented him, and in forcible language 
reproved him for his wicked designs. 

Ashamed and confounded, the creature 
finally acknowledged that he had come to 
kill him, but had now abandoned his sin- 
ful design. Don Bosco opened the door, 
and giving him back his pistol said, " Go, 



170 DON BO SCO. 

my friend, and may Almighty God enlighten 
you and deign to have mercy on you!" 

In the following chapter we shall see 
how, on several occasions, Don Bosco's life 
was protected in a most marvellous manner, 
and what a singular defender Divine Provi- 
dence sent him. 




DON BOSCO'S DOG. 

N the early days of the Oratory the 
Valdoco quarter was not as 
thickly populated as it is now. 
A few scattered houses and waste lands 
overgrown with bushes separated the 
Oratory from the last house in the city. 
Hence, when Don Bosco was out at night 
great anxiety was felt concerning him. 
In returning home he had to cross an al- 
most deserted tract of land very favorable 
for an attack, and it was well known that 
there were those w^ho had sworn to take his 
life. His friends begged him to be cautious; 
but when there was question of the exercise 
of his holy ministry, or the interest of his 
orphans, nothing could restrain him. 



DON BO SCO. 171 

On one occasion, when returning rather 
late from the city, feeling somewhat appre- 
hensive, he hastened his steps, when sud- 
denly a large gray dog stood beside him. 
At first he was frightened, but soon re- 
covered himself when he saw that the 
splendid animal showed signs of friendship 
and walked along with him. The dog ac- 
companied him to the Oratory and then 
disappeared. 

From that time, whenever Don Bosco was 
obliged to return late from the city, the 
dog seldom failed to join him after he had 
passed the last houses, and accompanied 
him to the door. 

Don Bosco soon came to look upon this 
faithful and valuable companion as a true 
friend; he called him // Grigio ("The 
Gray"), on account of his color. On several 
different occasions the dog evidently saved 
his life. 

One very dark night, when he was re- 
turning to the Oratory, he took the road 
leading from the Consolata to the Cotto- 
lengo Hospital, to keep as near as possible 
to the inhabited parts of the country. At a 
certain part of the road two men who had 



IJ2 DON BO SCO. 

followed him for a time suddenly sprung 
upon him, and while one of them threw a 
cloak over his head, the other put his hand 
over his mouth to prevent his calling out. 

Don Bosco gave himself up for lost, when 
suddenly a terrible growl, like that of an 
angry lion, was heard, and at the same time 
// Grigio rushed upon the assailants, felling 
them to the ground in an instant. Don 
Bosco freed himself from the cloak which 
almost smothered him, and he saw one of 
the villains running away as fast as he 
could; the other was lying on the ground, 
held there by the dog, who had seized him 
by the throat. 

*^ Master, master, call off your dog !" im- 
plored the poor wretch; *'he is choking 
me. 

'' I will call him off if you promise to do 
better for the future.'* 

'^ Yes, yes; but call him quickly, or I am 
a dead man/' 

Don Bosco spoke to the dog, who imme- 
diately loosed his hold of the man's throat. 
The latter, without saying a word, took 
himself off as fast as he could. 

Another evening Don Bosco was return- 



DON BO SCO. 173 

ing home by the S. Massino road when an 
assassin fired twice at him from behind a 
tree where he was hiding, almost touching 
him with the muzzle of the pistol; it missed 
fire both times, the caps only snapping. 
Then he sprung on Don Bosco, determined 
to execute his design by other means. But 
just at that moment // Grigio bounded 
forward on the murderous villain, threw 
him to the ground, and put him to flight. 
Then the dog accompanied Don Bosco to 
the door of the Oratory. 

On another occasion // Grigio delivered 
his master from a gang of assailants. It 
was night. Don Bosco was returning by 
the road that leads from the Emmanuel 
Philibert Square to the Rondo, when a man 
with a heavy club suddenly sprung upon 
him. The place was deserted. Don Bosco 
tried to escape by flight, but his assailant 
was too quick for him. He raised his club 
to strike him, when Don Bosco, urged by 
imminent danger, gave the fellow a well- 
directed blow in the stomach that stretched 
him on the ground, where he lay, crying 
in pitiable tones, Ahi ! ahi ! che son 7norto ! 
("Oh! oh! I am killed!") 



174 I^ON BO SCO. 

Don Bosco thought himself safe, but on 
all sides men armed with clubs rose from 
among the bushes. Resistance was no longer 
possible. At this critical moment a terrible 
barking announced the arrival of // Grigio, 
who ran rapidly around his friend to keep 
off the assailants, howling so furiously and 
showing such formidable fangs, that the 
rascals fled in confusion. Thus Don Bosco 
was again able to return home safe and 
sound in company with his brave de- 
fender. 

Another evening Don Bosco was prepar- 
ing to go out. As it was late, his mother, 
good Madame Margaret, tried to persuade 
him not to go; but in vain. On opening 
the door, he found his dog stretched across 
the step and he refused to move. He 
pushed him gently with his foot, saying. 
^^ Come, GrtgiOy let me pass." 

The dog growled threateningly, but would 
not stir. 

"• You see, my son,*' said Madame Mar- 
garet, " the dog has more sense than you. 
At least take his warning; do not go out." 

Don Bosco attempted twice more to pass, 
but as the dog still refused to make way 



DON BO SCO, 17 s 

way for him, and persisted in his significant 
growling, he finally gave up the idea and 
retoirned quietly to his room. 

In less than a quarter of an hour after- 
wards a neighbor came in great haste to 
warn Don Bosco to be on his guard, and not 
to attempt to go out that evening, for he 
had seen four desperate-looking ruffians 
hiding in a by-path, and he had overheard 
them declare that they would surely succeed 
this time in putting Don Bosco out of the 
way. 

One evening the dog appeared in the 
court of the Oratory. The children wanted 
to put him out; but one of the boys ex- 
claiming ^^It is Don Bosco's dog," they all 
began at once to play with him. Some 
climbed on his back, others pulled his ears, 
and thus conducted him to the Refectory, 
where Don Bosco was at supper with his 
mother and several priests. 

'' It is my Grigio,'" said the Father; and 
the dog came to him to be petted. Grigio 
walked gravely around the table; Don Bosco 
and several others offered him bread, meat, 
and water, but he refused everything. He 
finally laid his great handsome head on the 



17^ DON BO SCO, 

table, and fixed his eyes affectionately on 
Don Bosco, as if to wish him good-day. 

*' Since you will take nothing, you may 
go," said Don Bosco; and the dog went off 
with one of the boys, who opened the door 
for him. 

It was soon explained why the dog came 
that evening. Don Bosco was to return 
late; but it happened that the Marquis 
Fassati brought him back in his carriage, so 
that he was home much earlier than was 
expected. 

IlGrigio doubtless wanted to assure him- 
self that his master was safe at home. 

In the autumn of 1866 Don Bosco saw 
his strange protector for the last time. He 
was at Murialdo de Castelnuovo, his birth- 
place, and was to go to one of his friends 
at Moncucco. But night stole on before he 
was aware of it, and he had to pass through 
a dangerous piece of wood. 

** Oh ! if I only had my Grigio with me/* 
he could not help exclaiming. 

Immediately the dog was beside him and 
accompanied him to his destination. Don 
Bosco was not attacked that night by his 
enemies, but // Grigio did him good service 



DON BO SCO. 177 

by driving off two large mastiffs who had 
been left to guard a vineyard. He had 
been told they were dangerous to passers- 
by, and they did actually jump at him, but 
// Grigio gave them such a warm reception 
that they went off howling with pain. 

On his arrival, the guests who awaited 
supper for him were delighted with the 
beauty of the dog. " What a splendid dog 
you have ! we have never seen one like him; 
he must be some very rare breed !" They 
offered the dog all kinds of delicacies, but 
he would not touch anything. 

Some of the young men, surprised at this 
obstinate refusal to eat, resolved to lock him 
up in a room. 

When he has fasted for twelve hours, they 
said, he must eat and drink. 

Next day they went to look after their 
captive, but to their great surprise the dog 
had disappeared, though the windows and 
doors were carefully fastened. 

It was never discovered whence the dog 
had come, or whither he had gone after his 
mission was fulfilled. No one ever heard 
anything more of him. 




178 DON BO SCO, 



THE CONFESSION OF A THIEF. 

j|ON BOSCO, returning from one of 
his journeys, had to pass through 
a small wood. It was just at 
nightfall, and the place was very lonely. 
Suddenly an armed man rushed upon 
him, and demanded his purse or his life. 

**As to purse, I have none,'* replied Don 
Bosco, ^' and my life God gave me, and He 
alone has the right to take it from me." 

" Come, Abbe, less ceremony; yourpurse, 
or I will strike.** 

Just then Don Bosco recognized in his 
assailant one of the prisoners to whom he 
had formerly taught Catechism in the prison 
at Turin. 

^' What ! is it you ? such a one ?*' said he. 
^^ I must admit that you keep your promises 
very badly, and that you follow a very bad 
trade. I had so much confidence in you, 
but how you have disappointed me !'* 

The thief also recognized with whom he 
was dealing, and hung his head in pain and 
confusion. 

** Really, Father, I did not know it was 



DON BO SCO. 179 

you; you may be sure I would have left you 
in peace/' 

"This will not do, my child; you must 
absolutely change your life. You try the 
patience of God, and if you do not repent 
at once, take care lest you may not have 
time for repentance at the hour of death.'* 

"I certainly will change my life, good 
Father, I promise you.'* 

" You must go to confession." 

"I will." 

"When will you go ?" 

" Oh ! very soon." 

"Then come now; that is best: kneel 
there." 

And seating himself on a large stone, 
Don Bosco pointed to a place at his feet. 

After a few moments' hesitation, the man 
knelt down. Don Bosco, putting his arm 
around his neck, as he used to do, and press- 
ing him to his heart, heard his confession. 
Then he embraced him, and giving him a 
medal of Our Lady Help of Christians and 
the small amount of money he had with him, 
Don Bosco went on, accompanied by the 
thief as far as the gates of the city. This 
man became afterwards a very good citizen. 



l8o DON BO SCO, 



DON BOSCO. 




WILL tell you a story, ladies, — listen it is 
not long, 
Of love divine and durable, adorable and 
strong, 

Which pierced and filled with sudden flame an hum- 
ble priest of God. 
There were children of the Crucified, whose feet had 

only trod 
The lonesome paths of misery, — the children of the 

street; 
He took them to his wounded heart, and in the glow- 
ing heat 
Of charity ineffable, deprived of power or pelf. 
He gave them all he had to give, — the god-like gift, 
himself ! 

The mighty hand of God he knew would strengthen 

and protect, 
The Spirit of the Holy One, would counsel and 

direct 
The friend of helpless infancy, and give into his 

hand 

The splendor of the kingdoms and the riches of the 

land. 
This Abbe poor and humble, with a single child 

began 
His work of prayer and patience, and, as Heaven 

blest his plan. 



DON BO SCO. I8l 

Another and another, till the glorious array 

Of eighty thousand little ones rejoice his Home 

to-day.* 
Yes, eighty thousand children is the number that I 

give: 
He cherished them, and nourished them, and taught 

them how to live. 
And, brave and happy workers, right merrily they 

laughed, 
As they grew strong in health and frame, and skilled 

in handicraft. 
But oh! how far beyond it all! he taught them each to 

know 
The deathless beauty of the soul, surpassing all 

below. 
These children of the people, thus ennobled in their 

turn 
With quenchless fire of charity, their hearts began to 

burn 
With quenchless fire of charity enkindled from above. 
They listed in his army, young evangelists of love ; 
They knew the Master workman, the Boy of Bethle- 
hem. 
O sweet contagion of the heart! O glorious thing 

for them! 
Six thousand priests anointed, young soldiers strong 

and bold. 
Now pray for their protectors and the founder of their 

fold. 



* Since this was written the number of children has increased 
to one hundred thousand. 



1 82 DON BO SCO. 

Yes, eighty thousand little ones! Why, ladies, they 

must eat. 
And not a little truly; for, let me here repeat, 
Although a child an angel is, his appetite is good, 
And while upon the earth he needs both bed and roof 

and food. 
This truth appears, as now to us, with melancholy 

force, 
When'er an empty purse remains a last and sad 

resource. 
When children cry with hunger dire some friend for 

them must ask; 
And who if not the Virgin Blest shall undertake the 

task? 
O Mother of the motherless, strong helper of the 

weak! 
O ye who help her little ones! what favor would ye 

seek ? 
O happy benefactors by her gentle grace beguiled, 
She gives you for your guerison the Only one — the 

Child. 

• •«•••• 

And thus the priest, the penniless, what treasure does 

he hold ? 
It is the Queen of Heaven high who furnishes the 

gold. 
A stick and sack the Apostles held for miracles and 

cures; 
Tis all he has except a purse — and that, dear friends, 

is yours! 



Yj 



